Comparative analysis of Anti-Müllerian hormone concentration in two indigenous Slovenian sheep breeds

Šterbenc, Nataša (avtor), Mrkun, Janko (avtor), Petročnik, Špela (avtor), Sterniša, Meta (avtor), Zakošek, Maja (avtor)

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), produced only by granulosa cells, is a biomarker for ovarian reserve in sheep. This study compared AMH levels in two Slovenian breeds: Istrska pramenka (IP), a seasonal breeder, and Jezersko–Solčava (JS), which reproduces year-round. Blood serum samples from 78 sheep were analyzed during the estrus period using an ovine AMH ELISA. JS sheep were grouped by age (1–3, 4–6, ≥ 7 years), while the majority of IP sheep were ≥7 years. AMH levels differed significantly between breeds (p < 0.001), with JS sheep showing higher concentrations. No age-related differences were found within the JS breed (p = 0.752), but JS sheep ≥ 7 years had higher AMH than IP sheep of the same age (p < 0.001). AMH levels were also higher in ewes lambing two lambs (p < 0.001) and were positively correlated with litter size, particularly in the JS sheep ≥ 7 years (p < 0.001). These findings suggest AMH is a useful fertility marker in sheep, although breed-specific reference values are essential for an accurate interpretation. The study highlights the influence of breed and age on AMH levels and its potential role in predicting reproductive performance.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: anti-Müllerian hormone, reproductive activity, Jezersko–Solčava breed, Istrska pramenka breed, ovarian reserve, prolificacy, fertility, sheep
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: VF - Veterinarska fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2025
• Št. strani: 9 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 15, iss. 9, art. 1332
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-169059
• UDK: 636.3:618
• ISSN pri članku: 2076-2615
• DOI: 10.3390/ani15091332
• COBISS.SI-ID: 235299331
• Datum objave v RUL: 09.05.2025

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Animals
• Skrajšan naslov: Animals
• Založnik: MDPI AG
• ISSN: 2076-2615
• COBISS.SI-ID: 519120409

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P4-0053
• Naslov: Endokrini, imunski in encimski odzivi pri zdravih in bolnih živalih

• Financer: Ministary of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food
• Številka projekta: V4-2005