Effects of prostaglandin F treatment at follicular wave emergence on endometrial epidermal growth factor concentration on day 3 of the next estrous cycle and on fertility in dairy cows.

Inadequate exposure to estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) may be the main causes of altered endometrial epidermal growth factor (EGF) profile, leading to reduced fertility in dairy cows. We hypothesized that PGF administration at different timings of the estrous cycle and stages of follicular development could change the profile of steroid hormones between luteolysis and estrus. This results in reduction in the peak concentration of endometrial EGF on day 3 (day 0 = estrus) in the next estrous cycle.