Early Pregnancy Diagnosis in Sows by Progesterone Assay with Blood Paper Method
Resource
Br. Vet. J., v.144 p.64-71
Journal
Br. Vet. J.
Journal Volume
v.144 p.64-71
Pages
-
Date Issued
1988
Date
1988
Author(s)
Abstract
In this experiment, a blood paper method was developed for determining blood progesterone to overcome the inconvenience of sampling collection, shipping and preservation of conventional serum methods. This method is characterized by (1) sampling blood with a piece of filter paper, (2) immersing the blood paper in distilled water for 40 minutes at 25°C, (3) extraction of progesterone from the eluate using diethyl ether and (4) radioimmunoassay. For the feasibility test of this method, blood paper and serum samples were collected from four sows every 2–3 days during their oestrous cycles. The progesterone concentrations in whole blood and serum showed closely comparable change patterns from the low levels at oestrus to high ones in the luteal phase. The linear regression of progesterone concentrations (ng/ml) between whole blood (Y) and serum (X) is Y=0·612X+2·117 and its correlation coefficient is r = 0·954. It is suggested that this blood paper method is a valid alternative for progesterone assay. To determine the usefulness of this method, early pregnancy diagnoses in sows were tested. Blood paper samples from 91 sows were collected during days 17–21 after breeding (day 0) and their progesterone concentrations were determined. The results indicated that 6 ng/ml is the most reliable value for discrimination between pregnant and non-pregnant states and 90·1% of pregnant and 100% non-pregnant animals were correctly diagnosed. With respect to the sampling, transport, preservation and assay of progesterone, this method is highly recommendable for monitoring the reproductive performance of sows and even other animals. © 1988, All rights reserved.
SDGs
Type
journal article