title: Early pregnancy detection and the hormonal characterization of embryonic-fetal mortality in fallow deer (Dama dama).
abstract: The objectives of this investigation were to 1) determine serum concentrations of progesterone (P4), estrone sulfate (E1S) and pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) from estrus synchronization through mid-gestation in the fallow doe (Dama dama) and 2) characterize the hormonal profiles of does whose embryos or fetuses died in utero. Ten fallow does were synchronized for 14 d with an intravaginal P4-releasing device (CIDR) and were naturally mated after CIDR removal. Blood samples were collected at CIDR insertion, CIDR removal and at intervals through Day 203 post-CIDR removal for analysis of P4, E1S and PSPB by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Ultrasonography was performed on Days 49 and 69 post-CIDR removal. Serum P4 at the time of CIDR insertion was 4.8 +/- 0.6 ng/ml, and at CIDR withdrawal it was 6.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml. Concentrations of E1S and PSPB were nondetectable at CIDR insertion. Serum E1S was highest at Day 93, and PSPB was first detectable in pregnant does at Days 27 to 30 post-CIDR withdrawal. Ultrasonography on Day 49 revealed that 6 does were pregnant, 2 were not pregnant and 2 others were diagnosed originally as early pregnant. At Day 69, ultrasonography revealed that 6 does (60%) were pregnant and 4 (40%) were not. A comparison of the ultrasonographic and hormonal data indicated that the 2 does diagnosed as early pregnant on Day 49 had conceived but had lost the pregnancy. A third doe which was pregnant on Day 69 lost the fetus later in gestation. Hormonal profiles of does whose embryo or fetus had died were characterized by erratic P4 and E1S profiles, with PSPB becoming undetectable in the 3 does by Days 49, 65 and 80 post-CIDR removal. These data 1) demonstrate the timing for the collection of serum samples for determining early pregnancy in fallow does using 3 hormonal methods and 2) characterize the hormonal profiles of 3 fallow does with embryonic-fetal loss.
authors.affiliation: Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Overton, USA.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Willard
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Sasser
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Jaques
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Neuendorff
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Randel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000097:blood*; D003670:Deer; D004343:Drug Implants; D004970:Estrone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011258:Pregnancy Tests / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D004970:Estrone; D011374:Progesterone; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; C094766:pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1; C017296:estrone sulfate