Ovarian follicular development and plasma concentrations of progesterone (P4), estradiol-17 beta (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were compared during a synchronized estrous cycle between heifers and mature cows displaying contrasting superovulatory responses. Six heifers < 2 years old with a history of good responses to superovulatory (SOV) treatment and six cows 9 to 13 years old with poor responses to SOV treatments were used. Follicular development was monitored by daily ultrasonography. Blood samples were collected two to three times daily for P4 and E2 and thrice daily for LH and FSH analysis. Intensive sampling (samples every 15 min for 6 hr) was performed at critical periods of follicular development to analyze the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropins. In both cattle groups, a transient increase (P = 0.0001) in E2 occurred 4 to 5.7 d after the preovulatory LH surge or 2.3 d before the dominant follicle reached its maximum size. FSH concentrations increased (P = 0.006) before the emergence of the second cohort of follicles and then decreased despite no change in the concentration of E2. Contrary to our expectation and despite differences between groups in terms of age, number of previous SOV treatments, and divergent responses to superovulation, follicular development was similar in both groups. However, during the luteal phase, concentrations of E2 and FSH and LH pulse amplitudes were less (P < or = 0.05) in cows than in heifers. Therefore, follicular development monitored by ultrasonography and endocrine profiles during a synchronized estrous cycle are of limited value to predict quality of embryo donors.