Use of Glycoprotein Assays for Pregnancy Diagnosis in White-Tailed Deer

Analysis of blood for a protein associated with pregnancy has been suggested as a reliable alternative to traditional pregnancy tests for deer. However, the accuracy of this technique has not been tested throughout gestation in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In addition, quantification...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of wildlife management 1996-04, Vol.60 (2), p.388-393
Main Authors: Osborn, David A., Beckers, Jean-Francois, Sulon, José, Gassett, Jonathan W., Muller, Lisa I., Murphy, Brian P., Miller, Karl V., Marchinton, R. Larry
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal reproduction
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Antigens
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Breeding
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Deer
Forest resources
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Glycoproteins
Odocoileus virginianus
Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking
Parturition
Pregnancy
Pregnancy tests
Proteins
Radioimmunoassay
Twins
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Summary:Analysis of blood for a protein associated with pregnancy has been suggested as a reliable alternative to traditional pregnancy tests for deer. However, the accuracy of this technique has not been tested throughout gestation in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In addition, quantification of protein relative to stage of gestation and fetal number has not been reported. To address these needs, sera collected from 6 captive white-tailed does before breeding, throughout gestation, and following parturition were tested by radioimmunoassays (RIA) developed using glycoproteins isolated from domestic cattle and sheep. These RIAs provide the first quantitative pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) tests for deer. In our study, PAG levels increased throughout pregnancy and declined linearly following parturition. Beyond mid-gestation, PAG levels reflected in utero fetal number. The bovine-PAG (bPAG) assay was 100% accurate beyond day 65 of gestation. The ovine-PAG (oPAG) assay detected pregnancy by mean day 22 of gestation and was 100% accurate beyond day 32. Our oPAG-RIA is the most effective pregnancy test reported for white-tailed deer.
ISSN:0022-541X
1937-2817
DOI:10.2307/3802240