We studied the secretory function of the corpus luteum (CL) in cows following different estrus synchronization protocols. Estrus was synchronized using one (n=4) or two injections (n=5) of prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha); dinoprost), two injections of different analogues of PGF(2alpha) (aPGF(2alpha)), luprostiol (n=5) and cloprostenol (n=5), at eleven-day intervals, a gestagen implant (norgestomet, n=5, for 10 days) or norgestomet together with a subsequent dinoprost injection on the day of implant removal (n=5). CL samples were collected by ovariectomy on Day 7-8 of the estrous cycle. Luteal strips were stimulated with LH (100 ng/ml) or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2), 10(-6)M) for 24 h in culture media. The progesterone (P(4)) and PGE(2) concentrations in the media were measured by enzyme immunoassay. In the control CL (spontaneous estrus; n=5), LH and PGE(2) stimulated P(4) and PGE(2) (P 0.05). In the norgestomet-synchronized CL, the stimulatory effects of LH and PGE(2) were higher compared with the CL synchronized by aPGF(2alpha) (P