Pregnancy-associated Glycoprotein Profile during the First Trimester of Pregnancy in Egyptian Buffalo Cows |
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| Authors: | KA El-Battawy NM Sousa O Szenci JF Beckers |
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| Institution: | Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt;;Laboratory of Animal Endocrinology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium;;Clinic for Large Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, Hungary |
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| Abstract: | Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations were measured in buffalo cows starting from day 28 after breeding. Oestrus was synchronized in 10 buffaloes using two injections of 25 mg prostraglandin (PG)F2 α (Lutalyse®) at a 11-day interval. Blood sampling was conducted nearly twice weekly. Results indicated that plasma PAG concentrations in non-pregnant buffaloes were low (<0.20 ng/ml) during the whole experimental period (day 28 to 103), while in pregnant animals plasma PAG levels increased from day 28 (4.48 ± 0.92 ng/ml) until day 41 (27.27 ± 6.74 ng/ml), remaining high (20.71 ± 9.20 ng/ml) until day 103. Progesterone levels were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in pregnant (3.51–4.80 ng/ml) than in non-pregnant buffaloes (0.28–1.52 ng/ml). A significant difference (p < 0.0001) in plasma PAG concentrations between pregnant and non-pregnant animals starting at day 28 after breeding suggests that PAG-radioimmunoassay could be suitable for pregnancy diagnosis in buffaloes during this period. In conclusion, PAG test offers the advantages that it requires a single plasma sample for early pregnancy diagnosis as well as the accuracy of the test for the detection of pregnancy as early as day 28. |
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