Influence of breed and season on ovarian and pituitary response in progestogen-PMSG-treated ewes

Breed and seasonal effects on LH release, ovarian steroid secretion, and ovulation were evaluated in mature Finnish Landrace (Finn) and Hampshire ewes that received either a progestogen-PMSG treatment in May, July and November (experiment 1) or estradiol-17beta (50 microg) in May and July (experiment 2). The progestogen-PMSG treatment increased plasma estradiol within 12 hr after the PMSG injection at all three treatment periods and resulted in plasma LH and estradiol profiles similar to those during proestrus in cyclic ewes. Season, but not breed, affected the time from PMSG injection to preovulatory LH surge (56.5+/-1.4 hr in November vs 77.1+/-3.4 hr in July). Ovulation rate was higher in Finn than Hampshire ewes except in July when it decreased in Finn ewes. Magnitude of the estradiol-mediated LH release was decreased in July in Finn but not Hampshire ewes. Seasonal effects on reproduction in progestogen-PMSG treated ewes appear to be mediated through pituitary gonadotropin secretion with breed differences as to time and/or intensity of the seasonal effect(s).