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

Summary. During the follicular phase of bactrian camels, basal concentrations of LH were 2\m=.\7 \m=+-\1\m=.\2ng/ml. By 4 h after insemination peak values of 6\m=.\9\m=+-\1\m=.\0ng/ml occurred. In addition, a smaller LH peak (5\m=.\4 \m=+-\2\m=.\5ng/ml) appeared 1 day before regression of the follicle began in unmated camels. During the follicular phase peripheral plasma progesterone values were low (0\m=.\36 \m=+-\0\m=.\28ng/ml), but values increased to reach 1\m=.\73 \m=+-\0\m=.\74ng/ml at 3 days and 2\m=.\4 \m=+-\0\m=.\86ng/ml, at 7 days after ovulation. Plasma oestradiol-17\g=b\concentrations were 26\m=.\8 \m=+-\9\m=.\0pg/ml during the follicular phase and 30\m=.\8 \m=+-\5\m=.\1pg/ml when the follicle was maximum size. Values fell after ovulation but rose to 29\m=.\8\m=+-\6\m=.\5pg/ml 3 days later