Estrous behavior, luteinizing hormone and estradiol profiles of intact ewes treated with insulin or endotoxin

► Acute stress during the late follicular phase, delays the LH surge. ► The delay is related to the duration of estradiol signal disruption. ► Cortisol is not the key disruptor of the LH surge after insulin. ► Insulin (but not LPS) can separate the onsets of LH surge and estrus by 10 h. ► We can identify distinct neuronal systems controlling behavior and the GnRH surge.