Title:Follicular Cysts: A Single Sign and Different Diseases. A View from Comparative Medicine
VOLUME: 22 ISSUE: 36
Author(s):Hugo H. Ortega, Pablo U. Díaz, Natalia R. Salvetti, Gustavo J. Hein, Belkis E. Marelli, Fernanda M. Rodríguez, Antonela F. Stassi and Florencia Rey
Affiliation:Laboratorio de Biología Celular y Molecular Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral. R.P. Kreder 2805 (3080) Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Keywords:Follicular cyst, polycystic ovarian syndrome, cystic ovarian disease, cow, sow, mare, bitch.
Abstract:Ovarian cystic follicles are the sign of important causes of reproductive failure in
numerous species. In this review, some morphological, endocrinological and clinical aspects
of cystic follicles in women, cows, mares, sows and bitches are discussed. Follicular cysts
are the consequence of the failure of a mature follicle to ovulate at the appointed time of
ovulation in the estrous cycle. Although the etiology of follicular cysts remains unknown,
this review examines the evidence about the role of endocrine signaling systems in the specific
disease or syndrome in each of the species mentioned above. This review also describes,
the changes in the pathways of endocrine mechanisms that would trigger disturbances
in the intraovarian component underlying the aberrant persistence of follicular cysts.
The knowledge of the morphological and endocrinological nature of cystic follicles in different
species can provide relevant information to better understand specific diseases when it is
integrally analyzed from the comparative medicine viewpoint.
