The Isolation and Utilization of a Pregnancy Specific Antigen for Early Pregnancy Detection in The Bovine Species
Noble, Ralph C.
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/69995
Description
Title
The Isolation and Utilization of a Pregnancy Specific Antigen for Early Pregnancy Detection in The Bovine Species
Author(s)
Noble, Ralph C.
Issue Date
1982
Department of Study
Animal Sciences
Discipline
Animal Sciences
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Agriculture, Animal Culture and Nutrition
Abstract
A pregnancy specific antigen was isolated from feto-placental units and sera of early pregnant cows. Antibodies produced against this antigen were used in tests for determination of pregnancy on days 7-277. The presence of the antigen in milk and urine of early pregnant cows was also tested. Sera from heifers and steers were evaluated to determine the specificity of the antigen.
Results, using antibodies generated against the feto-placental unit, indicate that a pregnancy specific antigen is present in sera of pregnant cows on days 14, 21, and 30. The qualitative precipitatin test was 77% accurate in identifying pregnant cows. A pregnancy specific antigen was isolated from day 14 cow sera by affinity chromatography with Protein A-Sepharose CL-4B and identified by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Antibodies against this antigen were used in the capillary precipitatin test to detect pregnancy on days 14-277. No precipitate was observed in milk or urine from early pregnant cows. The greatest accuracy was obtained when results were read 1 hour after mixing antibodies with sera. Results from reacting sera from heifers and steers with antibodies yielded a slight precipitate that was similar to non-pregnant cows.
Results show that a pregnancy specific antigen is circulating in the sera of pregnant cows on day 14 of pregnancy. Antibodies against this antigen can be employed in a pregnancy test that is superior to chance in identifying pregnancy as early as day 14 and throughout gestation, but not in identifying nonpregnant cows. Pregnancy could not be confirmed by testing milk or urine.
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