The Timing of the Preovulatory Luteinizing Hormone Surge, Follicular Dynamics, and Ovulation Time Observed with Ultrasonoghraphy in Arbia Goats

Abstract

This study aimed to determine luteinizing hormone preovulatory release, follicular dynamics, and ovulation in Arbia breed goats. Estrus was induced during the non-breeding season using progesterone, pregnant mare serum gonadotropin, and prostaglandin. Blood samples and ovarian transrectal ultrasound scanning were performed to determine luteinizing hormone concentrations, follicular growth, and ovulation. Luteinizing hormone values ranged between 0.00 and 3.85 ng mL-1. The average preovulatory luteinizing hormone peak was 2.40 Å} 1.39 ng mL-1 approximately at 27.81 Å} 4.19 hours after sponge removal. All females showed a preovulatory luteinizing hormone peak, with 81.82% of them between 24 and 30 hours after sponge removal. According to the ultrasonographic studies, the total mean follicular diameter ranged from 4.54 Å} 1.17 mm up to 11.6 Å} 0.56 mm at 0 and 48 hours after sponge removal, respectively. However, ovulation occurred between 30 and 36 hours after the hormonal induction protocol in 9 goats (81.8%), observing a mean preovulatory follicular diameter of 9.51 Å} 0.93 mm. The interval between the preovulatory luteinizing hormone peak and ovulation was 9.27 Å} 5.60 hours. It is concluded that preovulatory luteinizing hormone peak in Arbia goats occurred as early as 24–30 hours after sponge removal. Surprisingly, the interval between the luteinizing hormone peak and ovulation was shorter (9 hours) than that of the goat breeds studied so far, indicating that artificial insemination protocols should be specifically adjusted for this breed.   Cite this article as: Amrane, A. A., Belhamiti, B. T., Selles, S. M. A., Kouidri, M., Chogueur, O., Díaz, A. T., Velázquez, R. G., & Moreno, J. S. (2026). The timing of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge, follicular dynamics and ovulation time observed with ultrasonography in Arbia goats. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0075, doi: 10.5152/actavet.2026.26075.