• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.603-608
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• 1997

To improve animal production, a simple and accurate pregnancy diagnosis plays a very important role. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop an on-farm blood progesterone enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system for monitoring the early pregnancy in sows. Star tubes coated with mouse monoclonal anti-progesterone antibody were used for this proposed EIA system which was tested in field trials. The results could be obtained within 30 minutes either by spectrophotometry or the naked eye. Heparinized fresh blood samples collected from the ear vein of sows 17-22 days after breeding (day 0) were tested qualitatively to diagnose sows as pregnant or non-pregnant with high ( > 3 ng/ml) or low ($${{\leq_-}}3ng/ml$$) progesterone in the blood. To provided a double check data, plasma progesterone levels were also measured quantitatively by the same EIA system with some modification. Total agreement of diagnosis by the on-farm EIA kit and by farrowing or abortion from 128 tested sows was found to be 92.2% accuracy (93.1% on pregnant diagnosis and 83.3% on non-pregnant diagnosis). It was concluded that the on-farm EIA blood progesterone test is a very useful method for monitoring the early pregnancy status of sows.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.165-173
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• 1990

A simple and sensitive microplate enzyme immunoassay(ELISA) was developed for progesterone, based on progesterone monoclonal antibody as anti-progesterone, horseradish peroxise(HRP) as enzyme-label and tetramethylbenzidine(TMB) as substrate. The assay has a sensitivity of 5pg-120pg/well and intra- and inter assay coefficients of variation for progesterone standard curve(0.1ng-3.2ng/ml) were ranged 4.4-10.6% and 5.-12.6%, respectively. They assay is performed in less than two hours and provide reliable values to differentiate among samples from day 0(A.I.), day 14 and day 19. The discriminatory levels for early pregnancy diagnosis are [>10ng(day 19) & decreasing rate <1.5 : pregnancy] and [ 7ng & decreasing rate 1.5 : non-pregnancy]. The accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis for cows classified as positive(pregnancy) and negative(non-pregnancy) were 96% and 100%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 1989

These experiment was carried out to improve the precision of early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle. Changes in progesterone concentration of milk were measured by Enzyme Immunoassay(EIA) in 73 cows up to 21 days after insemination. The average concentraton of progesterone in milk was 1.9ng/ml at eatrus ; it increased to 17.8ng/ml on day 14, and thereafter it declined to 4.3ng/ml on day 21 in nonpregnant cows. Whereas in pregnant animals, it was maintained and elevated further to 22.2ng/ml on day 21. The accuracy of the pregnancy diagnosis for animals classified as positive (pregnant ; over 10ng/ml and decreasing rate<1.5) and negative (non-pregnant ; under 7ng/ml and decreasing rate>1.5) were 95% and 100% respectively. The samples ranging between 7ng/ml and 10ng/ml were classified as positive (decreasing rate<1.5) and negative(>1.5), which accuracy was 54.5% and 100% respectively. However this range appears to be of the most interest for the veterinary practitioner since cows in proestrus or early interestrus tend to have milk progesterone levels within this value. Causes for the insufficient precision of false pregnancy diagnosis are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 1990

This study was carried out to evaluate khe accuracy of the early diagnosis of pregnancy in dairy cows using EIK-kit of progesterone in milk and to compare the progesterone concentrations in milk with those assayed by radioimmunoassay. 1. The progesterone concentrations of the pregnant cows($2.07{\pm}0.54ng/ml$) were significantly higher than those of non-pregnant cows($1.04{\pm}0.19ng/ml$), and thereafter began to inerease and maintained high levels. 2. During 20 to 22 days after artificial insemination, the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis from EIA-kit of progesterone were 93.7% for non-pregnant cows, and 91.6% for pregnant cows. 3. During 20 to 22 days after artificial insemination, the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis from milk progesterone concentrations were 100% for non-pregnant cows (<2.7ng/ml), and 92.9% for pregnant cows($${\geq_-}3.2ng/ml$$). The average overall accuracy of prediction for pregnant and non-pregnant cows were 96.5%. 4. Accordingly, the pregnancy diagnosis from EIA-kit of progesterone is thought to be recommendable because this early diagnostic means are simple with accurate result.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.299-302
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• 1996

Milk samples(n = 78) were taken 19d, 20d, 21d, 22d after artificial insemination(AI) for early pregnancy diagnosis by using the Enzyme immunoassay(EIA) kit. The progesterone ($P_4$) concentration in the whole milk was measured on the same day of pregnancy diagnosis. Rectal palpation(RP) was accomplished between 60d and 70d after AI to estimate the ovary condition and pregnancy status. Milk progesterone concentrations measured by Radio-immunoassay(RIA) method, in the pregnant cows at 17d, 19d, 21d after insemination were $17.10{\pm}0.91$, $17.60{\pm}0.46$, and $18.43{\pm}0.79nmol/l$, whereas those in the not-pregnant cows were $6.57{\pm}1.03$, $2.63{\pm}0.29$, and $0.67{\pm}0.08nmol/l$, respectively. When the progesterone concentration was less than 7 nmol/l, the color of the EIA kit was lighter and when the progesterone concentration was ${\geq}16nmol/l$, the color of the EIA kit was darker compared to the standard color. The detection rates of error by judging the color differences were 5.1% and 20.7%, respectively. In the early pregnancy diagnosis by the EIA kit and RIA method, the accuracy rates in the pregnancy of cows were 82% and 87%, and those in not-pregnant cows were 86% and 91%, respectively. For ovarian status estimated by the RIA method and certified by RP, the accuracy rates of the ovarian atrophy, follicular cyst and luteal cyst were 80, 91 and 83% and the progesterone concentrations were 2.51, 2.03, and 26.7 nmol/l, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.760-768
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• 2004

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in early pregnancy diagnosis in goats. Ultrasonographic scanning with real time B-mode ultrasound machine having 5 MHz linear array transducer was performed on gravid uterus (n=24) obtained from slaughterhouse (Group I). Crown rump length (CRL) measured by ultrasound was found significantly different (p<0.05) with actual CRL measured after dissection in early pregnancy. However, age predicted by ultrasound through the measurement of CRL was found highly correlated (r=0.92) with age measured after dissection through CRL and the weight of fetus. Ages predicted by ultrasound through the measurement of trunk diameter (TD) and uterine diameter (UD) and ages measured after dissection were found highly and equally correlated (r=0.98) and did not differ significantly. Data from six does synchronized (Group II) with PGF2$\alpha$ (Estrumate) at 11 days apart were collected through ultrasound from 17 to 42 days post breding. The correlation between CRL and gestational age was high (r=0.97) in day 30 to 42 post breeding. A high coefficient of correlation (r=0.98) was also observed between predicated age by ultrasound and actual age calculated after kidding. The correlation between CRL and gestational age by the formula Y=(a+bX) i.e. Y=24.42+0.39 X where Y=gestational age and X=CRL, was recorded very high (r=0.99). Accuracy of ultrasonography was lowest on day 17 to 19 (66%) and reached 100% on day 34. Data from 30 does (group III) randomly subjected to only one time ultrasounds scanning to assess the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis were also obtained. Ages predicted by TD and UD measurements were observed to be non-significantly different with actual age obtained after kidding and correlation between ages predicted by TD and UD measurement with actual age after kidding was found equally and highly correlated (r=0.98). The operator's accuracy in the whole experiment including all three groups was found to be 92%. The sensitivity was 93% and specificity was 86%. From the present study, it was observed that CRL was the most reliable parameter to find out gestational age in early pregnancy and the new formula derived was found very accurate to find out gestational age. TD and UD were also found to be equally reliable parameter to find out gestational age in mid and late stage of pregnancy through ultrasonography. It was concluded that ultrasonography by real time B mode with 5 MHz transrectal transducer was found to be reliable, safe and accurate and practicable means in diagnosing early pregnancy diagnosis as early as 25 days post breeding.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.197-203
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• 1995

Serum progesterone concentrations of pregnant and non-pregnant Hanwoo were compared to evaluate the possibility of early pregnancy prediction. Twenty five female Hanwoo were devided into two groups. Eighteen heads were injected with 980$\mu\textrm{g}$ tiaprost trometamol salt(Iliren:PGF2$\alpha$ analogue) for estrous synchronization and fifteen heads of them were inseminated artifically and seven heads were non-treated. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein before PGF2$\alpha$ injection and on day 0, 18, 21 after estrous induction. Pregnancy of cattle was confirmed by rectal palpaton after 60 days of artificial insemination. The serum progesterone concentrations at heat showed no significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant while on day 18 and 21 after estrous induction showed significant differences(p<0.05). The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis on day 18 and 21 after estrous induction was 85.7 and 71.4% respectively while that of non-pregnancy were 71.4 and 100.0% respectively.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.291-300
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• 1996

Real time B-mode ultrasound was used to detect the early conceptus in 187 Korean native cattles between days 10 and 60 after last insemination. The ultrasound diagnostic findings were systemically confirmed by palpation per rectum after the 60th day of last insemination. The embryonic vesicle and the embryo proper within the veside were first visible on mean day fl and 23, respectively. The heartbeat of the embryo proper could be detected on day 26, and the limb buds, placentomes, amnion, fetal movement, umbilical cord, optic area and split hooves were first visible on day 33, 34, 34, 44.5, 45, 32 and 48, respectively. The mean length of embryo proper was 3.8mm on day 23 which later increased to 56. 6rnrn on day 60. When ultrasound was used to detect the conceptus between days 20 and 30 after insemination and palpation per rectum after the 60th day of insemination, the accuracy rates of pregnancy detection by ultrasound scanning at days 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 were 44.4, 69.2, 78.6, 87.5, 90.0, 93.3%. In summary, the early pregnancy diagnosis of Korean native cattle with ultrasound appears high accuracy rates. It is considered that ultrasound can be used in veterinary practice well.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.397-414
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• 2008

In order to evaluate conception rate of Hanwoo in northwestern region of Gyeongsang-nam-do, we investigated conception rate and reduction of reproductive disorder rate after artificial insemination (AI) in 1,000 heads of breeding cows, This study showed that 80.9% of cows were classified as fertility after 1st and 2nd AI. For a accurate pregnancy diagnosis with practicing ovariectomy and histeotomy, we comparatively investigated each of 80 slaughtered cows, including 30 of non-pregnancy, and used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for estimation of plasma progesterone concentration and serum luteal hormone. The mean diameter of non-pregnant corpus luteum is $18.9{\pm}4.2{\times}15.6{\pm}3.6 mm$ and that of pregnant corpus luteum is $22.5{\pm}2.7{\times}18.7{\pm}2.9 mm$. This indicates that corpus luteum is more developed in the ovary of pregnant than non-pregnant cows (P<0.05). The diameter of pregnant corpus luteum according to the stage of pregnancy showed $21.3{\pm}2.4{\pm}18.4{\pm}2.6 mm$ in early stage (1-3 month), $23.4{\pm}2.8{\times}19.1{\pm}2.7 mm$ in middle stage (4-6 month) and $22.8{\pm}3.0{\times}18.8{\pm}2.4mm$, in last stage (7-9 month). This indicates that corpus luteum in middle and last stage is more significantly developed than that of early stage(P<0.05). The mean plasma progesterone concentration of cows showing size of non-pregnant corpus luteum was $4.58{\pm}0.92ng/ml$ and that of pregnant corpus luteum $8.26{\pm}0.98ng/ml$. Thus, it was more significantly increased in pregnant corpus luteum(P<0.02).. However, it was low to $0.58{\pm}0.39ng/ml$. in estrus (corpus albicans). The plasma progesterone concentration according to gestation period was high in proportion to the degree of development in corpus luteum and more significantly increased (P<0.05) and maintained in middle and last state than early state. The concentration was sharply decreased to $0.56{\pm}0.32ng/ml$ at parturition. As a consequence, we can practice the early pregnancy diagnosis by confirming non-pregnancy when the mean plasma progesterone concentration is below 1ng/ml 19 to 22 days after AI and this can be available to diagnose reproductive disorder.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.131-136
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• 1994

In an effort to confirm true oestrus and to detect early pregnancy in Zebu cows (Bos indicus), sequential blood and milk samples were collected at the day of imsemination (Day 0) and days 14, 20 and 24 after insemination. Progesterone was determined in skimmed milk and plasma by solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA). Of the cows thought to be in oestrus plasma, (n = 46) and milk (n = 58) samples demonstrated low progesterone concentrations ($0.99{\pm}0.11$ and $2.02{\pm}0.14nmol/l$) in 42 (91%) and 52 (90%) cases respectively. Thirty two (76%) and 30 (71%) cows were thought to be pregnant by plasma progesterone RIA ($20.23{\pm}1.03$ and $20.48{\pm}1.01nmol/l$) at days 20 and 24 respectively. At the same period, 40 (77%) and 37 (71%) cows were thought to be pregnant by milk progesterone RIA ($27.82{\pm}1.28$and $28.02{\pm}1.27nmol/l$). Assuming 100% accuracy for rectal examination of pregnancy diagnosis between days 60-65 postservice, the RIA was found to be 84% and 90% accurate for plasma and 84% and 92% accurate for milk at day 20 and 24, respectively. All cows thought to be non pregnant by progesterone measurement were correctly diagnosed. Progesterone assay at 24 days after oestrus may therefore be accurate for early diagnosis of pregnancy in Zebu cows.