Role of increased estradiol on altering the follicle diameters and gonadotropin concentrations that have been reported for double-ovulating heifers

During the preovulatory period in heifers that ovulate from two compared to one follicle, circulating concentrations of estradiol-17β (E2) are greater, diameter of follicles and concentration of FSH are reduced, and the LH surge occurs sooner. The effect of increased E2 on the reported characteristics of double ovulation was studied by treating heifers with 0.07 mg E2, 0.09 mg E2, or vehicle in four treatments at 6-h intervals (n = 6 heifers/group), beginning at the time of expected follicle deviation (largest follicle, 8.5 mm). There were no significant differences on follicle diameters or hormone concentrations between the 0.07 and 0.09 mg E2 groups, and heifers were combined into one E2 group (n = 12). The E2 treatments induced concomitant preovulatory surges in LH and FSH at 34.0 ± 2.6 h after first treatment, compared to 57.6 ± 4.5 h in the vehicle group (P < 0.0002). The E2 treatments did not affect FSH concentrations during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. The diameter of the preovulatory follicle at the LH peak was smaller (P < 0.0001) in the E2-treated group (10.2 ± 0.2 mm) than in the vehicle group (13.1 ± 0.6 mm). The hypothesis was not supported that the previously reported increase in circulating E2 in heifers with double preovulatory follicles accounts for the reported lesser concentrations in the preovulatory FSH surge in heifers with double ovulations. Hypotheses were supported that the reported earlier occurrence of the preovulatory LH surge and smaller preovulatory follicles in heifers with double ovulations are attributable to the reported increase in E2 from the double preovulatory follicles.