Early pregnancy diagnosis using a commercial ELISA test based on pregnancy-associated glycoproteins in Holstein-Friesian heifers and lactating cows

Authors: MEHMET SALİH KAYA, MEHMET KÖSE, FARUK BOZKAYA, HASAN MUTLU, EYYÜP HAKAN UÇAR, MEHMET OSMAN ATLI

Abstract: In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficacy of a commercial ELISA test kit for detecting pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in peripheral blood for early pregnancy diagnosis and compare plasma PAG levels during early pregnancy in both Holstein-Friesian heifers and lactating cows. A total of 231 plasma samples were collected from heifers and lactating cows on days 25, 28, and 32 after insemination. Pregnancies were confirmed 30 days after the collection of plasma samples. Plasma PAG levels were measured using a commercial ELISA test kit for diagnosing bovine pregnancy. The effects of examination date and animal status (heifers vs. lactating cows) on PAG levels in heifers and lactating cows were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Plasma PAG levels were significantly higher in heifers than in lactating cows; levels also increased significantly with the date of examination, i.e. days 25, 28, and 32 for heifers (P > 0.001), but not for lactating cows (P > 0.05). Although the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis using the ELISA test were acceptable in both groups, the performance of the test was superior in pregnant heifers compared to lactating cows.

Keywords: Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins, early pregnancy diagnosis, lactating cows, heifers, ELISA

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