Published online by Cambridge University Press: 02 September 2010
The concentrations of LH and oestradiol-17β were measured in samples of jugular venous plasma collected frequently during an 8-h period from six acyclic cows between 21 and 27 days post partum. Fluctuations in oestradiol-17β concentrations were detected. Although the mean concentrations of oestradiol were similar whether ovulation occurred within 1 week of sampling or not, the amplitude of the fluctuations in oestradiol concentrations was greater in the three cows which ovulated within 1 week of the period of sampling. Increases in the concentration of LH were frequently followed by increases in the concentrations of oestradiol.