Biochemical composition of blood plasma and follicular fluid in relation to follicular size in buffalo

The aim of this study was to examine the biochemical composition of follicular fluid from different-sized follicles and its relationship with that of blood plasma in buffalo. Ovaries of adult and healthy buffaloes were collected after slaughter. Follicular fluid was aspirated from three size classes of follicles (4–5, 6–9, and 10–20 mm diameter). Blood samples were also collected from these buffaloes immediately before slaughter. The follicular fluid and blood plasma samples were analyzed for metabolites (glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, and creatinine), ions (calcium and phosphorus), and enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase). The follicular fluid calcium, urea, creatinine, albumin, and ASAT and ALAT concentrations were not affected by the size of the ovarian follicles. Follicular fluid concentrations of phosphorus, cholesterol, triglyceride, ALK, and LDH decreased from small to large follicles. Phosphorus, albumin, and LDH concentrations in plasma were significantly lower than the levels in all follicle classes. The plasma concentrations of glucose, creatinin, cholesterol, triglyceride, protein, and glubolin were higher than in the small, medium, and large follicles. The concentration of glucose in the small follicles was significantly lower than in the medium and large follicles. Total protein concentration in fluid of small follicles was significantly higher than in the large follicles. The amount of globulin in medium follicles was higher than in the small and large follicles. The plasma concentration of ALK was significantly lower than in the small and medium follicles. ALK concentration difference between large follicles and plasma was not significant.