Further studies
have also established a link between lower maternal progesterone concentrations and
reduced embryo development with poor development accompanied by both a delayed postovulatory
plasma progesterone rise and reduced progesterone concentrations (Mann and
Lamming, 2001). Other studies in beef cows have shown that administration of progesterone
can advance embryo development (Garrett et al., 1988) further emphasising
the importance of progesterone in the control of early embryo development