EFFECT OF PASSIVE-IMMUNIZATION WITH BUFFALO FOLLICULAR-FLUID ANTISERAON OVARIAN ACTIVITY IN GUINEA-PIGS

Ovarian activity and follicular populations were studied in guinea pig s (Cavia porcellus) following administration of antisera against buffa lo follicular fluid (buFF). Antibodies were raised in rabbits and the titre tested by immunodiffusion assay. Fourteen guinea pigs cycling no rmally were randomized into two groups. Animals in Group I (n = 8) wer e treated (i.p.) with 0.5 mi antisera and in Group II (control, n = 6) with the same volume of normal rabbit serum at 12 h intervals on the 10th and 11th day of their oestrous cycle. They were sacrificed 24 h a fter onset of estrus when ovulation points were counted and ovaries pr ocessed for microscopical examination. Treatment with buFF-antisera in creased ovulation rate (3.6 vs. 2.0; p < 0.01) but had no significant effect on the total number of follicles. However, the treatment reduce d the percentages of atretic follicles in all size classes. These resu lts indicated that the administration of a buFF-antisera produced in t he rabbits increased ovulation rate in guinea pigs by reducing the inc idence of atresia. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.