Table 3 Maternal ovarian/follicular/luteal and steroidogenic indices

Ewes (number)

7

6

Ovarian (combined) weight (g)

5.4 ± 0.7

5.7 ± 1.0

Corpus luteum weight (g)

0.93 ± 0.1

0.84 ± 0.1

Corpora lutea (number per ewe)

1.9 ± 0.3

1.7 ± 0.3

Tertiary follicles (number per ewe)*

7.2 ± 0.4

3.0 ± 0.6

Jugular estradiol-17β (pg/ml)

3.0 ± 0.5

3.9 ± 0.8

Jugular progesterone (ng/ml)

5.8 ± 0.4

7.0 ± 1.0

Luteal progesterone (ng/mg)

19.7 ± 1.8

22.1 ± 5.5

Luteal vascular space (%)

9.5 ± 0.3

9.2 ± 0.4

Large luteal cells (%)

38.9 ± 0.4

37.9 ± 1.1

Small luteal cells (%)

19.5 ± 0.5

19.1 ± 0.4