Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Pro- and Antioxidant Profile Markers in Follicular Fluid of Mares

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors
Olga Bakovetskaya 1
Lyudmila Fedorovna Lebedeva 2
Elena Vladimirovna Solodova 2
Yulia Vladimirovna Abalenikhina 3
Alexey Vladimirovich Shchulkin 4
Svetlana Sergeevna Balashova 5
Anna Alexandrovna Terekhina 5
1 Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Prevention, Ryazan State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlov, Ryazan, Russia
2 Laboratory of physiology, The All-Russian Research Institute for Horse Breeding Ryazan Region, Rybnovsky District, Divovo, Russian Federation
3 Departments of Biochemistry, Ryazan State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlov, Ryazan, 390026, Russian Federation
4 Departments of Biology and Biochemistry, Ryazan State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlov, Ryazan, Russian Federation
5 Departments of Biology, Ryazan State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlov, Ryazan, Russian Federation
10.22059/ijvm.2026.406039.1005966
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Comprehensive characterization of the oocyte microenvironment in follicles is important for improving ART in horses.
Objectives: The aim of the pilot study was to investigate possible pro- and antioxidant markers of mares’ follicular fluid (FF) in connection with follicle development stage and functional status.
Methods: FF was obtained by the Ovum PickUp method in the transitional (anovulatory) (TP) and breeding ovulatory (OP) periods. 7 indicators of pro- and antioxidant factors (thiobarbituric acid (TBA-reactive products), superoxide dismutase (SOD), the TBA/SOD ratio, carbonyl derivatives of proteins, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), non-protein and protein SH groups) were examined.
Results: Signs of oxidative stress (OS) were revealed in medium (22-30 mm, TP) and large (≥35 mm, OP) follicles (P<0,01), which corresponded to the stages of follicles deviation and late maturation. Activation of the antioxidant system was observed in large (≥31 mm) follicles, both with and without signs of luteinization, during TP and in hormonally stimulated preovulatory follicles (OP) (P<0,05).
Conclusions: It can be assumed that OS being a trigger for deviation and ovulation. The observed trend toward the predominance of antioxidant protection and the absence of OS in large and luteinizing follicles in TP may likely lead to follicles luteinization without ovulation. ROC analysis confirmed that TBA-reactive products and SOD could be the specific markers of the folliculogenesis process. Further research is needed to confirm the results of this pilot study.
Keywords
mares
follicular fluid
estrus cycle
antioxidant profile
oxidative stress
Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 May 2026