A VERY EARLY PREGNANCY TEST FOR MAMMALS: ITS APPLICATION TO THE COW, EWE AND SOW

Abstract

SUMMARY A method is described for diagnosing the presence or absence of a conceptus soon after mating or insemination. It is applicable to a wide range of mammals and tests in the cow, sheep and pig have given an accuracy of approximately 90%. The method is based on the detection of a functional or regressed corpus luteum at a fixed time after mating by measuring the concentration of progesterone in peripheral blood. It is relatively simple to carry out.