Table 3.

Mean (± s.e.m.) equine preantral follicular population estimated per ovary according to age group and follicular class.

Age group (years)	Early preantral†	Primary	Secondary	Overall
4–9
Mean ± s.e.m.	110,846.6 ± 63,360.1aA	42,019.5 ± 35,104.7bA	230.6 ± 83.1cA	152,663.5 ± 96,345.9A
Range	5307–489,793	112–285,264	0–580	5778–773,091
≥20
Mean ± s.e.m.	11,038.2 ± 4688.1aB	628.3 ± 147.7bA	100.5 ± 54.8cA	11,749.8 ± 4802.3B
Range	1363–38,556	112–1,075	0–377	1477–39,874
Combined ages
Mean ± s.e.m.	60,942.4 ± 33,284.7a	21,323.9 ± 17,779.3b	165.5 ± 50.9c	82,206.6 ± 50,022.4
Range	1363–489,793	112–285,264	0–580	1477–773,091

^A,BWithin the same follicular class, and overall, values without a common superscript differed (P < 0.05). ^a,b,cWithin the same age group, and combined, values without a common superscript differed (P < 0.05). ^†Data from primordial and transitional follicles were combined. Four mares were included in each age group (eight mares total).