CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PERIOVULATORY PERIOD IN SUPEROVULATED HEIFERS

Heifers (n=31) were superovulated with an FSH-P/cloprostenol regimen, and at 12 and 24 hours after the onset of estrus they were inseminated. Blood sampling for LH analyses and ultrasound scanning of the ovaries were performed at 4-hours intervals. The scanning, at which the first and last ovulations were recorded, was performed at 22.7 +/- 1.5 (mean +/- SD) and 31.0 +/- 1.5 hours after the LH peak, respectively. An average of 7.8 +/- 1.0 ovulations was monitored when the first ovulations were detected, while 2.8 +/- 0.7 ovulations occurred later. At 16 hours after detection of the first ovulations the oviducts were flushed and 5.6 +/- 0.5 fertilized and 2.3 +/- 0.3 unfertilized ova were isolated per animal. The fertilized ova displayed spherical pronuclei of synchronous development, and polyspermic penetration was not seen. At 24 hours after detection of the first ovulations the content of the remaining 3.3 +/- 0.5 nonovulatory follicles > 8 mm per animal was aspirated. Expanded cumulus investment was found in 69.4% of the oocytes, while 22.4% had abstricted the first polar body.