Prostaglandin F2α in blood plasma and milk of non-pregnant and pregnant buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

Abstract. Radioimmunoassay of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) was standardised for sufficient precision, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. The changes of PGF2α were monitored in peripheral blood plasma and milk of 28 Murrah buffaloes. There were considerable individual variations of PGF2α concentration in blood plasma (27.6 to 110.8 pg/ml) and milk (80.3 to 180.4 pg/ml). A non-significant increase of PGF2α concentration (P > 0.05) was observed at the end of the cycle of non-pregnant animals in both fluids but no such increase was observed in pregnant animals. The concentration of PGF2α in milk was significantly higher (P<0.01) than that of blood plasma and was positively correlated in non-pregnant (r = 0.738) and pregnant animals (r = 0.385).