Clinical utility of plasma progesterone and blood and plasma glucose concentrations in predicting parturition in Holstein cows

Abstract

An accurate, practical, and low-cost method for predicting parturition is urgently needed in the dairy industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in plasma progesterone concentration ([prog]) and glucose concentration in whole blood ([gluc] b ) and plasma ([gluc] p ) as predictors of parturition within 6, 12, and 24 h in primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows. Blood samples were obtained daily at approximately 0900 h from 34 primiparous and 72 multiparous Holstein cows in late gestation and the time of calving recorded to the nearest hour. Plasma [prog] was measured using an ELISA, and [gluc] b and [gluc] p using a low-cost point-of-care glucose meter. The optimal cut-point for predicting parturition was determined using binomial logistic regression with general estimating equations, because the data set consisted of repeated measures for each cow. Diagnostic test performance was evaluated by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calculating the sensitivity, specificity, and κ at the optimal cut-point for predicting parturition. Plasma [prog] was the most accurate predictor of parturition within 24 h (AUC = 0.96) and 12 h (AUC = 0.93), whereas [gluc] b was the most accurate predictor of parturition within 6 h (primiparous, AUC = 0.96; multiparous, AUC = 0.86). We conclude that a decrease in plasma [prog] is currently the most accurate test for predicting calving within 24 h. Measurement of [gluc] b is a promising new test for the cow-side prediction of parturition in dairy cows due to its accuracy, practicality, and low cost.

Validation of a fully automated chemiluminescent immunoassay for cattle serum and plasma progesterone measurement

“…The automated IPI showed adequate linearity in both serum and plasma confirming that the reportable range provided by the manufacturer is achievable in both cattle serum and plasma samples. Interestingly, this reportable range is in line with the biological circulating [P4] range (0.1–30.0 ng/mL) in cattle ( 3 , 22 ). Unlike RIA, IMMULITE ® 2000 XPi has an inaccessible calibration curve in the software, and two adjustors are used to adjust the calibration curve.…”

“…The automated IPI showed adequate linearity in both serum and plasma confirming that the reportable range provided by the manufacturer is achievable in both cattle serum and plasma samples. Interestingly, this reportable range is in line with the biological circulating [P4] range (0.1-30.0 ng/mL) in cattle (3,22) Based on the ASVCP guidelines, the repeatability and reproducibility should not exceed ∼5 and 10% (25 and 33% of TEa), respectively, which is easily achievable in biochemistry measurands (9). However, IPI has lower precision, therefore CV% may exceed this recommended limit.…”

“…Progesterone (P4) is a steroid hormone mainly synthesized and secreted from the corpus luteum (CL) in the ovary. Broadly speaking, P4 is the key hormone for regulating the normal cows' reproductive function through ( 1 ) regulation of the onset and the length of the estrus cycle, ( 2 ) facilitation of implantation and maintenance of pregnancy, ( 3 ) regulation of embryonic growth and development ( 2 ). Therefore, monitoring of circulating P4 concentrations ([P4]) is widely used as a key element for various clinical decisions related to the ovarian and uterine activity such as restoration of cyclicity after parturition, identification of ovarian cyst type, early pregnancy diagnosis, and prediction of parturition within 24 h with a threshold of plasma [P4] of 4.6 ng/mL ( 1 , 3 ).…”

“…Broadly speaking, P4 is the key hormone for regulating the normal cows' reproductive function through ( 1 ) regulation of the onset and the length of the estrus cycle, ( 2 ) facilitation of implantation and maintenance of pregnancy, ( 3 ) regulation of embryonic growth and development ( 2 ). Therefore, monitoring of circulating P4 concentrations ([P4]) is widely used as a key element for various clinical decisions related to the ovarian and uterine activity such as restoration of cyclicity after parturition, identification of ovarian cyst type, early pregnancy diagnosis, and prediction of parturition within 24 h with a threshold of plasma [P4] of 4.6 ng/mL ( 1 , 3 ). The presence or absence of a functional CL with a threshold of serum [P4] of 1.0 ng/mL ( 4 ), or 0.3–0.5 ng/mL ( 5 , 6 ), is often sufficient to be useful for clinical decisions in veterinary practice, management of reproduction, or classification of cows in a research study.…”

How to Predict Parturition in Cattle? A Literature Review of Automatic Devices and Technologies for Remote Monitoring and Calving Prediction

“…Concerning the prodromal phase (stage I) of calving, this is characterized by subtle physical modifications as an increase of the myometrium contractions or endocrine patterns (P4 decrease and oxytocin and PGF 2α increase). Sensors able to records these changes are still unavailable or too complicated and expensive [95,96].…”