Growth and Differentiation Factor-9 Supplementation Affects Viability and Morphology of Preantral Follicles in Equine Ovarian Fragments During Short-term in vitro Culture

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate different concentrations of growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) on the development and maintenance of equine preantral follicle morphology during short-term in vitro culture. Ovaries (n=5) from five mares were collected from a local slaughterhouse and transported to the laboratory, where nine fragments (5x5x1mm) were procured from each ovary. One fragment from each was immediately fixed and submitted for histological analysis (control group; D0). The other eight fragments were cultured in situ for two (D2) or six (D6) days in MEM+ or MEM+ supplemen...