Determination of progesterone in milk for the monitoring of unstable pregnancy in cows
Dobeli, M.; Wetli, U.; Fricker, G.
Schweizer Archiv für Tierheilkunde 119(5): 181-185
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0036-7281 PMID: 559347 Document Number: 120564
A case of a high-yielding 5-yr-old cow that had aborted 4X in the 2nd or 3rd months after 2 uneventful pregnancies is described. The cow received from the 30th to the 92nd days of pregnancy 7 intramuscular injections of 125 mg progesterone, and milk contents of progesterone were determined frequently throughout pregnancy by a radioimmunological method. The values, calculated to a 10% milk fat content were in the 15-32.5 ng/ml range during progesterone administration and remained thereafter at >10 ng/ml, which is taken as indication of adequate progesterone supply. The cow calved normally. Determination of milk progesterone is recommended for control of hormone adequacy in early pregnancy.