Line 338: Line 338:     
==== Size of Ovaries ====
 
==== Size of Ovaries ====
 +
 +
* Depends on the phase of the oestrous cycle and whether it contains an active corpus luteum.
 +
* The presence of follicles does not alter the size of the ovary to anything like the extent of the corpus luteum.
 +
* In the majority of heifers and young cows examined between day 6-18 of dioestrus, one ovary will be larger than the other.
 +
* The larger ovary will be approximately:
 +
** 3.5cm pole-pole
 +
** 3cm from the attached side to the free border
 +
** 2.8cm from side to side
 +
** The corpus luteum will project from some point on the surface.
 +
* The smaller ovary will be approximately:
 +
** 2.5cm pole-pole
 +
** 1.5cm from the attached side to the free border
 +
** 1.2 cm from side to side
 +
* During the 4-5 days after oestrus, the developing corpus luteum has not attained sufficient bulk to influence the size of the ovary significantly and the regressing corpus luteum has lost significant bulk.
 +
* During oestrus there will also be little difference in size.
 +
** If the ovary undergoing enlargement of a dominant follicle also contains a regressing corpus luteum, it will be a little larger than the other ovary but not strikingly so.
    
==== Ovaries in a Multiparous Cow ====
 
==== Ovaries in a Multiparous Cow ====
4,503

edits