Presence of c-kit mRNA in goat ovaries and improvement of in vitro preantral follicle survival and development with kit ligand

► We evaluated levels of c-kit mRNA in goat follicles and invitro effects of KL. ► Goat preantral follicles were cultured in α-MEM+ supplemented with KL and/or FSH. ► c-kit mRNA was higher in primordial and primary follicles than in secondary stage. ► KL without FSH improved follicular development, oocyte growth and meiotic resumption. ► KL-positive effects were not observed in the presence of FSH.