ELISA test for measuring progesterone (P4) in camel serum or plasma uilises 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 camel 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
  • It is a high-throughput format with results in 3.5 hours or less (1 hours of incubation recommended)
  • Chromogenic substrate, which is not light-sensitive
  • Long-established assay, cited in multiple camel research papers
  • No dilution of samples is necessary; therefore, it can be applied straight onto the assay
  • Small 10ul sample size
  • Can be read at 405nm, 550 or 570nm with differing substrates (available at request). The best results are obtained at 550nm.
  • Incubation times – 1.5 hours for the plasma assay.

Dromedary (single-humped) camels usually require ovulation to be induced via either a Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) injection or by the presence of a male, but some have been shown to ovulate spontaneously. After ovulation, a corpus luteum develops from a mature ovarian follicle, and this cell mass can secrete progesterone. In a non-pregnant mare progesterone will only be secreted for about 10 days by the corpus luteum, however, during pregnancy these levels will stay elevated. In the event that a mare loses an embryo in early pregnancy progesterone levels will return to basal levels.

Cost

Price – £350 per kit (includes one 96 well plate and reagents) inc VAT plus carriage 

References

1. Nagy P et al, 2005. Incidence of spontaneous ovulation and development of the corpus luteum in non-mated dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Theriogenology 64 (2005) 292–304
2. Nagy P et al, 2021. Pregnancy and parturition in dromedary camels II. Incidence, timing and factors affecting early pregnancy loss (EPL) and the outcome of twin pregnancies. Theriogenology 172 (2021) 289e299