Progesterone Concentrations in Avikesil-S® Implanted Gaddi Ewes

AbstractThis study aimed to assess serum progesterone levels of Gaddi ewes treated with Avikesil-S® sponges. Blood samples were collected from Avikesil-S® treated ewes at sponge insertion for 12 days (day 12), sponge removal (day 0) and 17 days after natural mating (day 17). Serum progesterone levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transrectal ultrasonography was carried out at weekly intervals (day 14, 21, 28, 35) after mating to confirm pregnancy. Progesterone concentrations were significantly (P<0.01) higher in pregnant ewes compared to non-pregnant ewes on day 0 (2.72±0.4 vs. 1.71±0.1 ng/ml) and day 17 (3.94±0.4 vs. 0.52±0.1 ng/ml). Accuracy of transrectal ultrasonography on day 14 was 58.2% which increased to 75.0% on day 21 and 100% on day 28 post mating. The study suggests that serum progesterone concentration serves as a reliable indicator of pregnancy in ewes. Further, day 28 post mating is the best time to predict 100% pregnancy in ewes using transrectal ultrasonography.