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Ovarian follicular dynamics in ewes during the transition from anoestrus to the breeding season

Daily transrectal ovarian ultrasonography was performed in ten ewes for 5 consecutive days, once in early July, once in late July (anoestrus) and then continuously until from mid-August until ewes had completed one ovulatory cycle. During anoestrus the size range and numbers of ovarian antral follicles were similar to those seen during the breeding season. However, numbers of small antral follicles (2–3 mm in diameter) decreased during late anoestrus, and maximum follicle diameter increased just before the short period of progesterone secretion preceding the first observed ovulation. The ovarian antral follicles that ovulated first and second in the breeding season grew from 2 mm in diameter to 5.7 ± 0.3 mm and 6.2 ± 0.3 mm diameter over 4.7 ± 0.3 days and 4.6 ± 0.3 days, respectively, and the interovulatory interval was 16.6 ± 0.2 days. During the first ovulatory cycle, follicles emerged to grow from the 2 mm size class on 11 of the 17 days, but peaks of emergence were seen on days 2 and 11. The first observed ovulation was preceded by a transient increase in serum concentrations of progesterone (6 days duration), with a peak concentration of 1.30 ± 0.22 nmol l^–1. With ultrasonography, no evidence of ovulation was seen before the increase in progesterone secretion and no luteal structure was detected during the small increase in progesterone secretion; however, luteal structures are normally detected by ultrasonography only from 3 to 5 days after ovulation. An LH surge similar to a preovulatory LH surge preceded the first increase in progesterone secretion in five ewes. Oestrus occurred consistently with ovulation only at the second observed ovulation of the breeding season, after a normal luteal phase. LH pulse frequency and mean and basal serum concentrations of LH all increased in late anoestrus, but no major trends in serum concentrations of FSH and oestradiol were seen during this period. It was concluded that at the end of anoestrus there is no major change in ovarian antral follicle dynamics. At this time, increased LH secretion was seen as was a reduction in numbers of small antral follicles and a greater maximum diameter of follicles. A surge release of LH resulted in a short-lived secretion of progesterone, the source of which was unclear; this was followed by the first observed ovulation and the first ovulatory cycle of the breeding season. Oestrus occurred consistently only at the second observed ovulation of the season and the peak concentration of progesterone at each period of progesterone secretion increased to at least the second ovulatory cycle.