Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of a cattle rapid test for early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep

  • Regular Articles
  • Published:
Tropical Animal Health and Production Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The early pregnancy diagnosis allows optimizing production and timely management correction, with a greater reproductive output of livestock. The Idexx Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test® consists of an ELISA for visual reading which does not require the use of readers in the laboratory, with satisfactory pregnancy diagnoses at 28 days of pregnancy in cattle. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate this rapid test and to verify the most appropriate day for the diagnosis of pregnancy in the ovine species. For this purpose, 98 serum samples from pregnant sheep and 36 from non-pregnant were used, with duplicate samples, and diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound examination, used as the gold standard. The numbers of positive samples obtained at 26, 28, and 30 days of pregnancy were 26, 27, and 45, respectively. The Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test correctly identified 100% of the samples as positive at pregnancy of days 26, 28, and 30. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were also 100%. The Idexx Rapid Visual Pregnancy Test, initially indicated for cattle, is effective for the detection of pregnancy in the ovine species, enabling diagnosis of pregnant sheep from the 26th day of pregnancy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdelfatah-Hassan, A., Almería, S., Serrano, B., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., López-Gatius, F. 2012. The inseminating bull and plasma pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) levels were related to peripheral leukocyte counts during the late pregnancy/early postpartum period in high-producing dairy cows. Theriogenology, 77, 1390–1397.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abdulkareem, T.A., Al-Sharifi, S.A.M., Ishak, M.A., Eidan, S.M., Alnimr, M.A., Passavant, C.W., Branen, J.R., Sasser, R.G. 2011. Early pregnancy detection of Iraqi Riverine Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) using the BioPRYN enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for PSPB and the progesterone assay. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 46, 455–462.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abdulkareem, T.A., Eidan, S.M., Ishak, M.A., Al-Sharifi, S.A.M., Alnimer, M.A., Passavant, C.W., Branen, J.R., Sasser, R.G. 2012. Pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone and some biochemical attributes concentrations in the fetal fluids and serum and its relationship with fetal and placental characteristics of Iraqi riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Ani. Reprod. Sci., 130, 33–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbato, O., Merlo, M., Celi, P., Sousa, N.M., Guarneri, L., Beckers, J.F., Gabai, G. 2013. Relationship between plasma progesterone and pregnancy-associated glycoprotein concentrations during early pregnancy in dairy cows. T. Vet. J., 195, 385–387.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bella, A., Sousa, N.M., Dehimi, M.L., Beckers, J.F. 2012. Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein, chymosin and pepsinogen immunoreactivity of proteins extracted from fetal gastric tissue in bovine species. Res. Vet. Sci., 92, 378–386.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bériot, M., Tchimbou, A.F., Barbato, O., Beckers, J.F., Sousa, N.M. 2014. Identification of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and alpha-fetoprotein in fallow deer (Dama dama) placenta. Acta Vet. Scand., 56, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Breukelman, S.P., Perényi, Z., Taverne, M.A.M., Jonker, H., Van der Weijden, G.C., Vos, P.L.A.M., Ruigh, L., Dieleman, S.J., Beckers, J.F., Szenci, O., 2012. Characterisation of pregnancy losses after embryo transfer by measuring plasma progesterone and bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-1 concentrations. Vet. J.,, 194, 71–76.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaves, C.M.S., Costa, R.L.D., Duarte, K.M.R., Machado, D.C., Paz, C.C.P., Beltrame, R.T., 2017. Visual ELISA for detection of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in ewe serum. Theriogenology, 97, 78–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chentouf, M., El Amiri, B., Sulon, J., Beckers, J.F., Kirschvink, N., Boulanouar, B., Bister, J.L. 2008. Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein secretion in north Moroccan goats. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 43, 696–700.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El Amiri, B., Karen, A., Sulon, J., Sousa, N.M., Alvarez-Oxiley, A.V., Cognie, Y., Szenci, O., Beckers, J.F., 2007. Measurement of ovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) during early pregnancy in Lacaune sheep. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 42, 257–262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Amiri, B., Sousa, N.M., Oxiley, A.A., Hadarbach, D., Beckers, J.F. 2015. Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentration in plasma and milk samples for early pregnancy diagnosis in Lacaune dairy sheep. Res. Vet. Sci., 99, 30–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engelke, J., Knaack, H., Linden, M., Feldmann, M., Gundling, N., Gundelach, Y., Egli, C., Greiner, M., Beckers, J.F., Sousa, N.M., Meyerholz, M.M., Hoedemaker, M., Piechotta, M., 2015. Identification of embryonic/fetal mortality in cows by semiquantitative detection of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins. Livest. Sci., 178, 363–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedrich, M., Holtz, W. 2010. Establishment of an ELISA for measuring bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in serum or milk and its application for early pregnancy detection. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 45, 142–146.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gajewski, Z., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Pawlinski, B., Olszewska, M., Thun, R., Kleczkowski. 2008. Concentration of bovine pregnancy associated glycoprotein in plasma and milk: its application for pregnancy diagnosis in cows.J. Phys. Pharm., 59, 55–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Giordano, J.O., Guenther, J.N., Lopes Jr., G., Fricke, P.M. 2012. Changes in serum pregnancy-associated glycoprotein, pregnancy-specific protein B, and progesterone concentrations before and after induction of pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows. J Dairy Sci., 95, 683–697.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green, J.A., Parks, T.E., Avalle, M.P., Telugu, B.P., McLain, A.L., Peterson, A.J., McMillan, W., Mathialagan, N., Hook, R.R., Xie, S., Roberts, R.M. 2005. The establishment of an ELISA for the detection of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) in the serum of pregnant cows and heifers. Theriogenology, 63,1481–503.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green, J.C., Volkmann, D.H., Poock, S.E., McGrath, M.F., Ehrhardt, M., Moseley, A.E., Lucy, M.C. 2009. Technical note: A rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay blood test for pregnancy in dairy and beef cattle. J. Dairy Sci., 92, 3819–3824.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guruprasad, K., Blundell, T.L., Xie, S., Green, J.A., Szafranska, B., Nagel, R.J., McDowell, K., Baker, C.B., Roberts, R.M., 1996. Comparative modeling and analysis of amino acid substitutions suggests that the family of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins includes both active and inactive aspartic proteinases. Prot. Engin., 9, 849–856.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karen, A., Darwish, S., Ramoun, A., Tawfeek, K., Hanh, N.V., Sousa, N.M., Sulon, J., Szenci, O., Beckers, J.F. 2011. Accuracy of transrectal palpation for early pregnancy diagnosis in Egyptian buffaloes. Trop. Anim. Health Prod., 43, 5–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karen, A., Bajcsy, A.C., Minoia, R., Kovács, R., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Tibold, J., Mádl, I., Szenci, O. 2014. Relationship of progesterone, bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein-1 and nitric oxide with late embryonic and early fetal mortalities in dairy cows. J. Reprod. Dev., 60, 162–167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karen, A., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Bajcsy, A.C., Tibold, J., Mádl, I., Szenci, O. 2015. Comparison of a commercial bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein ELISA test and a pregnancy-associated glycoprotein radioimmunoassay test for early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cattle. Anim Reprod Sci, 159, 31–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kiewisz, J., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Panasiewicz, G., Gizejewski, Z., Szafranska, B. 2009. Identification of multiple pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) purified from the European bison (Eb; Bison bonasus L.) placentas. Ani. Reprod. Sci. 112, 229–250.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majewska, M., Panasiewicz, G., Szafranska, B., Gizejewski, Z., Majewski, M., Borbowski, K. 2008. Cellular localization of the pregnancy-associate glycoprotein family (PAGs) in the synepitheliochorial placenta of the European bison. Gen. Compar. Endoc., 155, 422–431.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majewska, M., Panasiewicz, G., Szafranska, B. 2010. Chromosomal assignment of porcine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein gene family. Ani. Reprod. Sci., 117, 127–134.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Majewska, M., Panasiewicz, G., Szafranska, B. 2011. Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) family localized in chorionic cells within the epitheliochorial/diffuse placenta of the alpaca (Lama pacos). Acta Histochemica, 113, 570–577.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen, V.H., Barbato, O., Bui, X.N., Beckers, J.F., Sousa, N.M. 2012. Assessment of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) concentrations in swamp buffalo samples from fetal and maternal origins by using interspecies antisera. Ani. Sci. J., 83, 683–689.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piechotta, M., Bollwein, J., Friedrich, M., Heilkenbrinker, T., Passavant, C., Branen, J., Sasser, G., Hoedemaker, M., Bollwein, H. 2011. Comparison of commercial ELISA blood test s for early pregnancy detection in dairy cows. J. Reprod. Develop., 57, 72–75.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pieterse, M.C., Szenci, O., Willemse, A.H., Bajcsy, C.S., Dieleman, S.J., Taverne, M.A., 1990. Early pregnancy diagnosis in cattle by means of linear-array real-time ultrasound scanning of the uterus in a qualitative and quantitative milk progesterone test. Theriogenology, 33, 697–707.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pohler, K.G., Geary, T.W., Johnson, C.L., Atkins, J.A., Jinks, E.M., Busch, D.C., Green, J.A., MacNeil, M.D., Smith, M.F., 2013. Circulating bovine pregnancy associated glycoproteins are associated with late embryonic/fetal survival but not ovulatory follicle size in suckled beef cows. J. Anim. Sci., 91, 4158–4167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pohler, K.G., Pereira, M.H., Lopes, F.R., Lawrence, J.C., Keisler, D.H., Smith, M.F., Vasconcelos, J.L., Green, J.A., 2016. Circulating concentrations of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins and late embryonic mortality in lactating dairy herds. J. Dairy Sci., 99, 1584–1594.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reese, S.T., Pereira, M.C., Vasconcelos, J.L.M., Smith, M.F., Green, J.A., Geary, T.W., Peres, R.F.G., Perry, G.A., Pohler, K.G., 2016. Markers of pregnancy: how early can we detect pregnancies in cattle using pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and microRNAs? Anim. Reprod., 13, 200–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Revoltella, R.P., Laricchia, R.L., Liedberg, B. 1998. Comparison of conventionalimmunoassays (RIA, ELISA) with surface plasm on resonance for pesticide detection and monitoring. Biotherapy, 11, 135–145.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rovani MT, Cezar AS, Rigo ML, Gasperin BZ, Nóbrega Júnior JE, Torres FD, Gonçalves PBD, Ferreira R. 2016. Evaluation of a bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for serological diagnosis of pregnancy in sheep. Ciência Rural, 46, 362–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano-Pérez, B., Garcia-Ispierto, I., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Almeida, S., López-Gatius, F. 2014. Gamma interferon production and plasma concentrations of pregnancy-associated glycoproteins 1 and 2 in gestating dairy cows naturally infected with Neospora caninum. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 49, 275–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Serrano-Pérez, B., Hansen, P.J., Mur-Novales, R., García-Ispierto, I., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Almería, S., López-Gatius, F. 2016. Crosstalk between uterine serpin (SERPINA14) and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins at the fetal-maternal interface in pregnant dairy heifers experimentally infected with Neospora caninum. Theriogenology, 86, 824–830.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharin, M., Friedrich, M., Gauly, M., Holtz, W. 2014. Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) profile of Holstein-Friesian cows as compared to dual-purpose and beef cows. Reprod. Dom. Anim., 10. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/rda.12336.

  • Szelényi, Z., Répási, A., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F., Szenci, O. 2015. Accuracy of diagnosing double corpora lutea and twin pregnancy by measuring serum progesterone and bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 in the first trimesters of gestation in dairy cows. Theriogenology, 84, 76–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szenci, O., Taverne, M., Beckers, J.F., Sulon, J., Varga, J., Börzsönyi, L., Hanzen, C., Schekk, G. 1998. Evaluation of false ultrasonographic diagnoses in cows by measuring plasma levels of bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein. Vet. Record., 142, 304–306.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Szenci, O., Karen, A., Bajcsy, À.C., Gáspárdy, A., Sousa, N.M., Beckers, J.F. 2011. Effect of restraint stress on plasma concentrations of cortisol, progesterone and pregnancy associated-glycoprotein-1 in pregnant heifers during late embryonic development. Theriogenology, 76, 1380–1385.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Camila de Miranda e Silva Chaves received a scholarship financed by CAPES, which is gratefully acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Zootecnia (IZ), Rua Heitor Penteado, 56, Nova Odessa, SP, 13460-000, Brazil

    Camila de Miranda e Silva Chaves, Ricardo Lopes Dias da Costa & Keila Maria Roncato Duarte

  2. Centro Universitário do Espírito Santo (UNESC), Avenida Fioravante Rossi, 2930, Colatina, ES, 29703-900, Brazil

    Renato Travassos Beltrame

  3. Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense (UENF), Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000-Parque California, Campos dos Goitacazes, RJ, 28013-602, Brazil

    Celia Raquel Quirino

Authors
  1. Camila de Miranda e Silva Chaves
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ricardo Lopes Dias da Costa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Keila Maria Roncato Duarte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Renato Travassos Beltrame
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Celia Raquel Quirino
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Camila de Miranda e Silva Chaves.

Ethics declarations

Statement of animal rights

This study was approved by the Instituto de Zootecnia’s Ethics Committee (Protocol CEUA/IZ No.200/2014).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

de Miranda e Silva Chaves, C., da Costa, R.L.D., Duarte, K.M.R. et al. Evaluation of a cattle rapid test for early pregnancy diagnosis in sheep. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 1345–1349 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02130-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02130-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation