Reproductive insufficiency is a major cause of reduced productivity for both dairy and beef cattle.
Reproductive loss occurs primarily through fertilization failure and early embryonic mortality.
Compare naturually-occurring and induced differences in metabolism for their effects on oocyte maturation, fertilization and embryo survival. Examine how differences in luteal function affect preovulatory follicle development and subsequent fertility. Determination of how energy balance may alter follicle wave patterns. Methods for manipulating follicle growth and duration. Increased understanding of follicular development in cattle.