Determination of the Relationship Between Beta-Carotene and Vitamin a and Functional Structures on Ovaries in Bitches

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of beta-carotene and vitamin-A blood levels on follicular development (F) and corpus luteum (CL) numbers in bitches. Thirty-four randomly selected dogs brought to the Ankara University, Veterinary Faculty, Gynacology Department Clinic for ovariohysterectomy were used. The sera (separated from the dogs' blood samples) before surgery were sent to the laboratory to determine beta-carotene and vitamin-A levels. The numbers of functional structures (F and CL) on the ovaries, obtained after surgery, were determined. Bitches without functional structures on the ovaries were not evaluated in this study. Bitches with functional structures on the ovaries were divided into two main groups. One to 3 CL were detected on the ovaries of three bitches (Group 1) and more than three on 17 bitches (Group 11). The mean levels of beta-carotene and vitamin-A in groups I and 11 were 50.0 +/- 8.6 and 48.1 +/- 5.3, and 6.4 +/- 2.1 and 4.0 +/- 0.4 mug/dl, respectively. One to 3 F were detected in five bitches (Group 111) and more than three on nine bitches (Group IV). The mean levels of P-carotene and vitamin-A in groups III and IV were 47.6 +/- 10.7 and 60.7 +/- 6.5, and 3.4 +/- 0.8 and 5.5 +/- 0.8 mug/dl, respectively. In conclusion, although a relation between vitamin-A and follicle and CL numbers has not been found, beta-carotene seems to have a positive correlation with follicle numbers in bitches. More detailed research should be carried out in order to determine the effects of beta-carotene on CL numbers.