Periovulatory gonadotrophin and ovarian steroid patterns in sheep of breeds with differing fecundity

Plasma hormone concentrations before and during luteolysis (induced by injection of a prostaglandin analogue on Day 10 or 11 of the cycle), during the period of preovulatory follicle growth and ovulation were examined in sheep with known differences in ovulation rate (Romanov, Préalpes, Romanov x Préalpes cross, Ile de France). The number of CL at the time of treatment and the ovulation rate in the ensuing cycle were established by endoscopy. Plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, progesterone and total oestrogen were measured by radioimmunoassays in the 3 days before PG injection, then hourly for the 24 h after PG injection and 2-hourly for a further period up to about 100 h after PG injection. The onset and duration of oestrus were also recorded. Although breed differences were observed for many of the features studied, only the intervals between oestrus and the LH peak and between PG injection and the LH peak were significantly correlated with ovulation rate.