Optimal dose of human chorionic gonadotropin for inducing ovulation in the ferret

The optimal dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for induction of ovulation was determined by comparing the ovulatory response of 119 mated ferrets (controls) with that of estrous females induced to ovulate with five different dosages of hCG. Copulation induced formation of 12.7 ± 4.5 corpora lutea (CL) in all 119 females and resulted in a 90.7% conception rate as evidenced by finding approximately eight blastocysts/female in the uteri of 108 ferrets. All doses of hCG tested induced ovulation; however, the lower doses (50 and 75 IU) resulted in a lesser percentage of females ovulating. The highest doses of hCG (150 and 300 IU) resulted in fewer CL/female being formed. The optimal dose of hCG for simulating copulation induced ovulation was 100 IU. Tubal transport of unfertilized oocytes in pseudopregnant females was found to be significantly retarded when compared to the rate of transport of embryos in the control group.