China Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Medicine ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (2): 532-542.doi: 10.16431/j.cnki.1671-7236.2026.02.002

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress on in vitro Culture of Preantral Follicles in Ruminants

GUO Zhihan1(), LI Yang1, WANG Shaoxiong2, HAN Zhiqiang1, LI Xiao1, CUI Bingbing3, LYU Jie4, ZHANG Guanglei5, XU Chao1()   

  1. 1.College of Animal Science and Technology,Jilin Agricultural University,Changchun 130118,China
    2.College of Animal Science and Technology,Beijing University of Agriculture,Beijing 102206,China
    3.Veterinary Drug and Feed Supervision and Testing Institute,Changchun 130618,China
    4.Dongfeng Sika Deer Industry Development Service Center,Liaoyuan 136399,China
    5.Dunhua Animal Husbandry Development Promotion Center,Dunhua 133799,China
  • Revised:2025-10-08 Online:2026-02-20 Published:2026-01-28
  • Contact: XU Chao E-mail:gzhtx0503@163.com;xcjlau@163.com

Abstract:

Preantral follicles represent a critical stage in the transition from follicular quiescence to active growth and are abundant in the ovaries of ruminants, possessing high developmental potential and significant application value. With the advancement of reproductive biotechnology, in vitro culture of preantral follicles has become an important focus in ruminant reproductive biology as an assisted reproductive approach. This technique not only contributes to improve livestock reproductive efficiency but also provides new strategies for the preservation of genetic resources and population restoration of endangered species. However, the in vitro development of ruminant preantral follicles is still constrained by multiple factors, such as the structural complexity of follicles, instability of culture systems, and low oocyte developmental competence, which limit its further application. Ruminant preantral follicles can achieve a certain degree of growth and development under in vitro conditions, and some studies have obtained early embryos such as morulae, but the overall maturation rate and developmental potential remain limited. This review systematically summarizes the isolation methods and in vitro culture systems of ruminant preantral follicles, including mechanical and enzymatic isolation, in situ culture, two-dimensional culture, and three-dimensional culture, and compares the differences among these methods and systems in terms of follicular integrity, applicability, and developmental performance. Future studies should focus on the standardization of isolation methods, optimization of culture systems, and elucidation of the mechanisms underlying long-term follicle survival and in vitro maturation, with the goal of establishing more efficient and stable culture systems and promoting the application of this technology in livestock production and the conservation of endangered species.

Key words: ruminants; preantral follicles; in vitro culture; isolation techniques

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