Researches Regarding Recovery and Identification of Mare Oocytes for In Vitro Maturation

During March to May 2009 morphological studies on the mare oocytes were carried out harvested by two methods (aspiration and scrape), from different classes of ovarian follicles. Ovaries were obtained from 16 slaughtered mares in an approved abattoir and transported to the laboratory at a temperature of 5 degrees C. A total number of 181 antral follicles were identified in the macroscopic evaluation of ovaries. They were engaged in three classes based on size, and were collected using the aspiration method (n = 85) and scrape (n = 96). Recovery rate was 64.7% when harvesting by aspiration and 63.5% for scrape follicles. Oocytes were evaluated in terms of morphological, after standard criteria. Of the total 116 oocytes recovered 50 (43.1%) were considered good for in vitro maturation and a number of 66 (56.9%) were considered fallow. The largest percentage recovery was obtained in the case of follicles first class, 66%.. Oocytes Class II and III were recovered in the number of 20 (43%) and 10 (25%) were considered good for in vitro maturation and 26 (57%) and 30 (75%) were considered fallow. Most oocytes obtained from ovarian follicles of Classes II and III were in various stages of degeneration.