This study aimed to investigate relationships between steroidogenic characteristics and abilities, and some macroscopic characteristics of bovine ovarian follicles and to relate this criterion to the physiological status of the follicles. Follicular fluid of 5 to 8 mm diameter follicles from bovine ovaries (n=46) were analysed and steroidogenic activities of granulosa cells were studied. For the macroscopic classification of the follicles (n=232), appearence of the follicles, thecal vascularization, the colour of theca interna and the presence of follicular debri were determined. Follicles were classified as non-atretic, intermediate and atretic using the cri-terion above. Oestradiol-17b concenration was higher than progesterone concentration in the follicular fluid of non-atretic follicles (P

This study aimed to investigate relationships between steroidogenic characteristics and abilities, and some macroscopic characteristics of bovine ovarian follicles and to relate this criterion to the physiological status of the follicles. Follicular fluid of 5 to 8 mm diameter follicles from bovine ovaries (n=46) were analysed and steroidogenic activities of granulosa cells were studied. For the macroscopic classification of the follicles (n=232), appearence of the follicles, thecal vascularization, the colour of theca interna and the presence of follicular debri were determined. Follicles were classified as non-atretic, intermediate and atretic using the cri-terion above. Oestradiol-17b concenration was higher than progesterone concentration in the follicular fluid of non-atretic follicles (P