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Updated: May 6, 2026

Determination of Reproductive Competence by Confirming Pubertal Onset and Performing a Fertility Assay in Mice and Rats
Published on: October 13, 2018
Physiology and endocrinology of puberty in heifers
Jacqueline A Atkins1, Ky G Pohler, Michael F Smith
1Progenesis Embryo Transfer, 4990 E Baseline Rd, Belgrade, MT 59714, USA; American Simmental Association, 1 Simmental Way, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA.
Abstract:
When it comes to development of beef heifers, the importance of maximizing the proportion of heifers that are born early in the calving season cannot be overemphasized. Because early onset of puberty is of critical importance to heifer development, the purpose of this article was to describe the physiological and endocrine maturation that control the onset of puberty in beef cattle. These concepts will be helpful in understanding the physiological and endocrine changes that take place in a heifer as she approaches puberty and in understanding how specific estrous synchronization products are able to induce and synchronize estrus and ovulation.
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