Serum Progesterone for Timing of Mating in the Bitch
There is variability between bitches in the time at which ovulation occurs during oestrus. Vaginal cytology, the traditional test for determining the best time to mate has its limitations as it can only place bitches into broad categories of proestrus, oestrus, dioestrus and anoestrus. It cannot detect ovulation time per se.
In the bitch, serum progesterone is low during anoestrus and proestrus, begins to rise in late proestrus, and increases rapidly around ovulation to reach high levels at the beginning of dioestrus. Determining serum progesterone concentrations periodically from mid-proestrus and timing mating according to results has proven very useful in bitches with reduced fertilityor irregular cycles, when artificial insemination is being used, and where bitches have to be taken some distance to the dog.
In bitches with a history of infertility or irregular cycles, or where the owner is not familiar with the bitch's cycle, collect a serum sample (red top tube) at the first indication of bleeding. Alternatively, collect the first serum sample within 1-2 days of detecting >60% cornified cells on vaginal cytology. Ideally the first sample has a serum progesterone concentration of <3 ng/ml. Progesterone concentrations should then be assessed every day or every other day to determine the best time for mating. When the progesterone concentration increases to >8 ng/ml, (in most bitches) then the LH surge has occurred and the best time for mating can be determined from the concentration.
Serum Progesterone for Estimating Day of Parturition in the Bitch
Variability in the timing of ovulation, length of oestrus and multiple breeding dates can make it difficult to predict an exact due date for a litter. The duration of pregnancy has always been regarded as 63-65 days from the first mating. However, a range of 58-68 days from the first mating is more likely to be correct. There are a variety of methods available to try and get a more precise whelping date. The whelping date is likely to be 57 ± 1 days from the first day of dioestrus as determined by vaginal cytology, 63 ± 1 days from the day of ovulation and 65 ± 1 days from the LH surge as assessed by the rise in progesterone above 3 ng/ml. Progesterone concentrations fall in bitches close to parturition. Measuring progesterone in serum within 1 – 2 days of the expected parturition date can help pinpoint time of parturition.
Parturition will usually begin within 24 hours of the progesterone dropping to below 6 nmol/l.
Serum Progesterone for Confirmation of Pregnancy
Serum progesterone is not a useful test in confirming pregnancy in the bitch. Concentrations are not significantly different between pregnant and non-pregnant animals in dioestrus. Serum relaxin can be used for confirmation of pregnancy in the bitch.
A single low serum progesterone concentration (<0.5 ng/ml) indicates the animal is not pregnant.
As well as pregnancy, other causes of persistent corpus lutea will produce high progesterone concentrations and must be considered, e.g. pyometra.
Species:
All
Specimen:
1 ml serum
Container:
Plain (red top) tube. Do not use gel serum separator tubes.
Collection protocol:
Standard venepuncture
Special handling/shipping requirements:
Samples should be transported to the laboratory within 12-24 hrs. Ruminant progesterone is unstable in clotted blood. Concentrations fall significantly within two hours at 17°C. In ruminants avoid the use of gel tubes and separate serum within two hours of collection.