Progesterone and luteinizing hormone profiles in heifers used as oocyte donors

Progesterone (P(4)) and luteinizing hormone (LH) profiles were analyzed throughout the estrous cycle in 11 superovulated heifers that had follicular oocytes aspirated at different times after standing heat. It was found that high P(4) during estrus was incompatible with normal LH release, oocyte maturation and subsequent in vitro fertilizing capability. However, an LH peak was not a prerequisite for initiation of meiosis, since both metaphase I (MI) and metaphase II (MII) stages were observed in animals without an LH surge. Following follicular aspiration, the progesterone levels and the length of luteal phase were similar to those of superovulated animals that had no follicular intervention. We concluded that aspiration per se does not interfere with normal corpora lutea (CL) development in heifers when aspiration occurs after the LH surge.