Hormone concentrations before and after semen-induced ovulation in the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

Abstract

During the follicular phase of bactrian camels, basal concentrations of LH were 2.7 ± 1.2 ng/ml. By 4 h after insemination peak values of 6.9 ± 1.0 ng/ml occurred. In addition, a smaller LH peak 5.4 ± 2.5 ng/ml) appeared 1 day before regression of the follicle began in unmated camels. During the follicular phase peripheral plasma progesterone values were low (0.36 ± 0.28 ng/ml), but values increased to reach 1.73 ± 0.74 ng/ml at 3 days and 2.4 ± 0.86 ng/ml at 7 days after ovulation. Plasma oestradiol-17β concentrations were 26.8 ± 9.0 pg/ml during the follicular phase and 30.8 ± 5.1 p/ml when the follicle was maximum size. Values fell after ovulation but rose to 29.8 ± 6.5 pg/ml 3 days later.