Follicular Hormonal Changes and Oocyte Quality in Heifers That Exhibited an LH Surge, no LH Surge, or in Which the LH Surge Was Suppressed With Progestin

Authors

Calvin L. Ferrell, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center
Thomas G. Jenkins, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center

Date of this Version

1993

Document Type

Article

Comments

Published in Beef Research Program Progress Report (1993) No. 4 (Part 1): 99-101

Abstract

The mechanisms that control follicular development, oocyte maturation and ovulation, are complex and poorly understood in farm animals. Superovulation via gonadotrophin stimulation of the ovaries provides a model to study follicular development and ovulation and the endocrine interactions at the follicle level. This study focused on the importance of luteinizing hormone (LH) in follicular development, hormonal secretion, and ovulation. The objectives of this study were to describe differences in follicular development, hormonal secretion, and oocyte quality in superovulated heifers that exhibited a normal LH surge, no LH surge, and in which the LH surge was suppressed with a progestin implant.