Fig. 1.
Crossover experimental designs for study 1 (A) and study 2 (B). Treatments with peripheral progesterone (CIDR) and E2 implants (starting at time of OVX and neurosurgeries) are indicated by gray and stippled bars, respectively. Frequent blood sampling (Bl) and microimplant treatments (study 1: black/open bars, progesterone/control; study 2: striped/open bars, RU486/control) are shown above peripheral implants. The treatment protocol for the first half of each study (in OVX+E ewes) is depicted; identical protocols were used for the second half of each study (OVX ewes), except that E2 implants were removed and two vaginal progesterone implants were inserted during RU486/control microimplant treatments in study 2. See text for more details.