The concentrations of androstenedione, estradiol-17β, progesterone and PGF2α
contained in the follicular fluid produced by the follicles in collected ovaries of mares
that have had estrous phase during the breeding season were measured and analyzed the
relation between the growth stage of follicles and the hormone levels in the follicular
fluid. An ultrasonographic diagnostic instrument was used to measure the diameter of the
follicles in order to categorize the follicles into three groups the following: 8 small
follicles (from 1.0 to less than1.5 cm), 8 medium follicles (from 1.5 to less than 3.0
cm), and 8 large follicles (from 3.0 to 5.0 cm), respectively. The analysis of the
follicular fluid in ovaries of estrous mares showed that the concentrations of
androstenedione were significantly higher in the medium or large follicles than in the
small follicles and the concentrations of estradiol-17β were significantly higher in
larger follicles than in the small or medium follicles (P<0.05). The concentrations of
progesterone and PGF2α, on the other hand, did not significantly vary
regardless of follicluar size. In the follicles within the mare ovaries that have had
estrous stage, the concentrations of the hormones related the ovulation, namely
androstenedione and estradiol-17β, were higher with larger follicles.