Attainment of puberty, cycle lengths, ovulation rate and endocrinology during the periovulatory period were studied in Meishan (MS) and European Large-White hybrid (LW) gilts. The mean age at onset of puberty of 115 days in MS (n = 20) gilts was younger (P < 0.001) than the 235 days in LW (n = 23). In the MS population studied, ovulation rate was not different (P > 0.1) during the third and fourth oestrous cycles, nor were there differences (P > 0.1) in the mean cycle length over the first three cycles. Overall changes in plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol did not differ significantly (P > 0.1) between the breeds (MS, n = 6; LW, n = 5) during the periovulatory period, but plasma inhibin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the MS. The time intervals from the oestradiol peak concentration and the onset of the LH surge until the onset of behavioural oestrus were significantly different (P < 0.005) between the breeds, with oestrus occurring earlier in the MS. However, no difference (P > 0.1) was found between the groups when the intervals from the peak oestradiol concentration to the onset of the LH surge were compared. These results indicate differences between the breeds, particularly in terms of the age of attainment of puberty and the timing of the onset of behavioural oestrus relative to the oestradiol and LH surges.