ELISA test for measuring progesterone (P4) in bovine serum or plasma utilises unique high-affinity anti-progesterone (P4) antibody which is highly specific. The kit consists of 96 well plate plus reagents and standards.
This test can be used for:
- Routine fertility management
- Checking for pregnancy loss
- Research into bovine reproduction and its management
A small volume of serum or plasma is used as the test sample. It is recommended that each sample is run in duplicate and each standard run in triplicate. The substrate produces a colour change inversely proportional to the quantity of progesterone in the sample tested. This means a strong colour equals very low progesterone and vice versa. The colour change is read quantitatively with a plate reader.
Features of Ridgeway Science’s Progesterone ELISA test:
- Top-of-the-range monoclonal antibody with a high affinity for P4
- P4 range of approx. 0 -20ng/ml
- Low cross-reactivity with other steroids and hormones therefore no false results
- High throughput format with results in 3.5hrs or less (1 hr incubation recommended)
- Chromogenic substrate which is not light sensitive
- It is a long-established assay cited in multiple bovine research papers
- No dilution of samples necessary therefore can apply straight onto assay
- Small 10ul sample size
- Can be read at 405nm, 550 or 570nm with differing substrates (available at request). Best results are obtained at 550nm.
- Incubation times – I hour for the milk assay and 1.5 hours for the plasma assays
The bovine reproductive cycle lasts approximately 21 days with progesterone levels lowest during oestrus and then climbing gradually after oestrus to a plateau generally above 10 ng/mL progesterone in the non-pregnant animal.
In the pregnant cow the level of progesterone rises following AI and is maintained, normally over 10 ng/mL until parturition.
Progesterone has a short half-life and so levels drop rapidly for example at approximately 21 days post-AI if pregnancy is not established. This can be used as a non-pregnancy test.
Cost
Price – £350 per kit (includes one 96 well plate and reagents) inc VAT plus carriage
References
1.Van der Lende T et al, 2020. Infrequent Milk Progesterone Measurements in Daughters Enable Bull Selection for Cow Fertility. J. Dairy Sci. 87:3953–3957