BOVINE MODEL FOR STUDY OF OVARIAN FOLLICULAR DYNAMICS IN HUMANS

Ultrasonographic imaging has afforded the ability to characterize dynamic physiologic events as they occur and has been intensively applied in the study of ovarian function, particularly in the bovine species. Distinct similarities exist between the bovine and human species in ovarian form and function, but ovarian dynamics and related endocrine events have not yet been critically characterized in women. Practical and ethical limitations prohibit gross, endocrine and histopathologic verification of ultrasonographic observations made in humans in vivo; consequently, meaningful diagnostic and therapeutic regimens have not been devised to precisely control ovarian function or ameliorate ovarian dysfunction. The bovine ultrasound model is the most well developed model with regard to characteristics of ovarian follicular and luteal dynamics, and preliminary study has revealed that physiologic characteristics of bovine ovarian follicles may be reflected by visual data analysis of ultrasound images. A research strategy has been designed, based on the bovine ultrasound model, to study ovarian function in women using the non-human primate as an intermediate step. It is anticipated that newly developed techniques of controlling folliculogenesis in cattle may be appropriately modified for diagnostic and interventional procedures in women to augment or suppress fertility.