Ovarian follicle growth dynamics during the postpartum period in Holstein cows and effects of contemporary cyst occurrence.

The indicators of follicle development with regard to the growth wave order, the first ovula- tion, animal parity, and also with regard to the simultaneous presence or absence of a follicular cyst were determined in cows in the course of 60 days postpartum. Follicular dynamics were monitored daily by ultra- sonography. The animals were assigned to three groups based on the time of the 1 st ovulation: G1 (n = 9) - the 1 st dominant follicle (DF) ovulated, G2 (n = 10) - ovulation occurred on the 2 nd or later follicular waves, and G3 ( n = 5) - no ovulation occurred during the experimental period. G1 animals showed better fertility later (no cyst, less days open, P = 0.07, less hormonal treatment, P = 0.008). The rhythm of follicular wave development was generally similar in all the animals (based on emergence of the first follicular wave, the interval from emergence to deviation, and the number of all follicular waves). Nevertheless, emergence of follicular waves and deviation occurred by 0.5-0.9 day earlier in primiparous than in multiparous cows and in G1 vs. G2, or G3, respectively (in all P < 0.05). DF development was independent of parity as well as