Effects of repeated administration of hCG on follicular and luteal characteristics and serum progesterone concentrations in eCG-superovulated Sanjabi ewes.

The objective of this study was to evaluate if treatment of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG)-superovulated Sanjabi ewes with repeated administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) would increase the number of normal corpus luteum (CL) and serum progesterone concentrations and decrease the number of persistent follicles. The superovulated ewes were divided into four groups on day 0 (day of sponge removal); the ewes were treated by an intramuscular administration of 500 IU hCG on day 0 (Group I: n = 10), on days 0 and 1 (Group II: n = 10), or on days 0, 1, and 2 (Group III: n = 10) and no treatment for control group (n = 10). Blood samples were collected on days 0, 1, 2, 5, and 8 (day of slaughter), and serum progesterone concentrations were determined. According to progesterone concentrations, 50 (4/8) and 0 % of the ewes underwent premature luteal regression in the control group and the hCG groups, respectively. There were more CLs in Group III than in Group II and the control group. Ewes treated with hCG had a greater number of normal-looking CL. CL diameter was significantly greater in Group II and Group III than other groups. Total CL weight was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in Group III than in Group I and the control group. Number of persistent follicle and persistent follicle diameter were lower in control group compared to the other groups. Eight days after sponge removal, serum progesterone concentration was significantly higher in Group III than in Group I and the control group. The present results indicate that repeated administration of hCG supported CL formation, increased serum progesterone concentration, and prevented premature luteal regression in eCG-superovulated Sanjabi ewes.