Number and diameter of follicles
There was a significant effect of diet (P < 0.004) on the
number of medium-sized follicles (5–10 mm range) present
per cow in the first and second follicular waves after the
synchronized oestrus (E1). The number of follicles was
increased at both time points in cows on the LA (n-6)
supplemented diet and on day 15 in cows on the LNA (n-3)
supplemented diet in comparison with control cows (Table 2).
The maximum diameter of the first dominant follicle measured
during cycle 1 and of the preovulatory follicle at E2
was also compared between dietary treatments. The size of
the first dominant follicle was significantly greater in cows
fed a diet supplemented with LA (n-6) compared with that of
the control cows, and intermediate values were noted in
cows fed a diet supplemented with LNA (n-3). A similar,
although not significant, trend towards an increased
diameter was observed in the preovulatory follicles in both
the cows fed a diet supplemented with LNA (n-3) or LA (n-6)
(Table 3).