The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cauterization of clitoris on serum Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels in cows. In this study, 10 cows ranging from 2,5–6 years old were used. Animals were synchronised with double injections of PGF2α at 11 day intervals. After the first sign of spontaneous estrous, blood samples were collected at 2 hours intervals during 24 hours to monitor LH concentration. When the second spontaneous estrous occurred, clitoris of cows was cauterized with electrocoter under epidural anesthesia and blood samples were collected same as the first spontaneous cycle.

LH concentrations were found 2.18±0.30 ng/ml, 2.03±0.31 ng/ml in control and clitoral cauterization group, respectively. Preovulatory LH peak concentrations were measured 11.56±1.99 ng/ml in control group and 10.55±1.63 ng/ml in cauterization group. The time from the beginning of estrous to the LH peak was found 16±2.61 h in control group and 12±0.97 h in cauterization group. Average duration of LH surge was observed 8.4±0.75 h and 10.4±0.4 h in control and cauterization group, respectively. No significant difference was observed between control and experimental group.

As a conclusion, it was detected that clitoral cauterization applied at the beginning of estrous in cows did not affect serum LH values.