Table 2 Concentrations and characteristics of FSH, LH and estradiol-17b, and number of large follicles (>4 mm) and diameter of the largest follicles before introduction of rams (mean values until the introduction of the rams) to anestrous ewes primed for 6 days with intravaginal sponges containing 60 mg of MAP. Ewes were classified as E-O (those that came into estrus and ovulated), NE-O (those with a silent ovulation), and NE-NO (those that did not come into estrus or ovulate) (Experiment 2).
E-O | NE-O | NE-NO | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FSH levels (μg/L) | 3.3 ± 0.1a | 2.8 ± 0.1b | 2.6 ± 0.3b | < 0.01 |
LH basal levels (μg/L) | 0.86 ± 0.05 | 0.84 ± 0.04 | 0.75 ± 0.05 | >0.1 |
Estradiol-17β levels (pmol/L) | 12.6 ± 0.6a | 10.0 ± 0.6b | 9.7 ± 5.3b | < 0.001 |
Number of follicles > 4 mm | 0.3 ± 0.1 | 0.5 ± 0.1 | 0.5 ± 0.1 | >0.1 |
Diameter of the largest follicle (mm) | 3.8 ± 0.1 | 3.9 ± 0.1 | 3.9 ± 0.1 | >0.1 |