Effects of different doses of estradiol benzoate used in a cervical relaxation protocol on the success of non-surgical embryo recovery and luteal function in superovulated ewes

•The cervical relaxation treatments were initiated 16h before non-surgical embryo recovery (NSER) procedure.•Treatment without estradiol benzoate can successfully promote cervical relaxation.•The NSER can be successfully performed in nulliparous ewes.•Treatment with estradiol benzoate did not affect luteal function before NSER.