Follicular wave dynamics after estradiol-17β treatment of heifers with or without a progestogen implant

Abstract Two experiments were designed to evaluate the effects of estradiol-17β (E-17β) on follicular wave dynamics and gonadotropin in cattle. The first experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of 5 mg E-17β administered on Day 1 (ovulation=Day 0) in heifers with or without a progestogen (SMB) ear implant. The dominant follicle in heifers treated with E-17β+SMB ceased to grow 1 d after E-17β treatment and subsequently regressed resulting in early emergence of the next follicular wave. Conversely, E-17β treatment of non-implanted heifers resulted in transient or incomplete suppression of the dominant follicle, and delayed emergence of the next follicular wave (P