Liu X, Hart E J, Petrik J J, Nykamp S G, Bartlewski P M
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Reprod Domest Anim. 2008 Feb;43(1):27-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0531.2007.00848.x.
The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between quantitative ultrasonographic image characteristics, histological attributes and cell proliferating ability of bovine antral follicles and corpora lutea (CL) ex situ. Bovine ovaries (n = 30) from animals at various reproductive states (metoestrus-early dioestrus, n = 8; mid-dioestrus, n = 12; oestrous phase of peripubertal heifers, n = 6; and pregnancy, n = 4) were collected at the slaughterhouse. High-resolution ultrasonographic images of the ovaries were obtained in the water bath, digitized and subjected to computerized image analyses. The analyses utilized line and spot techniques designed to determine pixel values of the follicular wall (the largest follicles >2 mm in diameter in each ovary) and CL, respectively. Individual ovarian structures were dissected and processed for histology and immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The mean follicular diameter was negatively correlated with total cell density (r = -0.45, p < 0.05), granulosa layer thickness (r = -0.67, p < 0.001) and the percentage of PCNA-positive cells (r = -0.57, p < 0.001). Numerical pixel values and heterogeneity of the follicular wall were positively correlated with total cell density (r = 0.42, p < 0.05 and r = 0.62, p < 0.05; respectively), granulosa layer thickness (both r = 0.39, p < 0.05), and the percentage of PCNA-positive cells (r = 0.54, p < 0.01 and r = 0.69, p < 0.001, respectively). Estimates of cell density and proliferating cell index were not correlated with the ultrasonographic image attributes of CL. We conclude that follicular size and echotextural variables, as determined by computer-assisted image analysis of ovaries ex situ, are reliable markers of the histophysiological properties of bovine antral follicles, but the ultrasonographic characteristics are not indicative of cell density and proliferation in the bovine CL.
本研究的目的是在体外研究牛窦状卵泡和黄体（CL）的定量超声图像特征、组织学属性与细胞增殖能力之间的关系。在屠宰场收集处于不同生殖状态的动物（间情期-早期发情期，n = 8；发情中期，n = 12；青春期前小母牛发情期，n = 6；妊娠，n = 4）的牛卵巢（n = 30）。在水浴中获取卵巢的高分辨率超声图像，数字化后进行计算机图像分析。分析分别采用线和点技术来确定卵泡壁（每个卵巢中直径>2 mm的最大卵泡）和CL的像素值。将单个卵巢结构解剖并进行组织学处理以及增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）的免疫组织化学检测。平均卵泡直径与总细胞密度呈负相关（r = -0.45，p < 0.05）、颗粒层厚度呈负相关（r = -0.67，p < 0.001）以及PCNA阳性细胞百分比呈负相关（r = -0.57，p < 0.001）。卵泡壁的数值像素值和异质性与总细胞密度呈正相关（分别为r = 0.42，p < 0.05和r = 0.62，p < 0.05）、颗粒层厚度呈正相关（两者r = 0.39，p < 0.05）以及PCNA阳性细胞百分比呈正相关（分别为r = 0.54，p < 0.01和r = 0.69，p < 0.001）。细胞密度和增殖细胞指数的估计值与CL的超声图像属性无关。我们得出结论，通过对体外卵巢进行计算机辅助图像分析确定的卵泡大小和回声纹理变量是牛窦状卵泡组织生理特性的可靠标志物，但超声特征并不能指示牛CL中的细胞密度和增殖情况。
