Assessment of blood and urine pregnancy associated glycoproein1 (PAG1) in pregnant and aborted (type) Osseimi ewes.

Abstract

The early pregnancy diagnosis in ewes has economic importance for the sheep industry. The study aimed to determine the ovine pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) profile in the serum and urine of Osseimi ewes from mating day till Day 90 of gestation at specific time periods, and to study the correlation between the maternal PAG levels in the serum of pregnant, non -pregnant and aborted ewes, and the number of feti. The results reported that the serum and urinary PAGs were significantly detected at Day 16 of gestation and increased gradually till reached to peak at Day 60 then decline at Day 90 of gestation. there was a positive correlation between the PAGS level and the number of feti and between PAGS and progesterone levels at Days 60- 90 of gestation. The concentration of PAGs in serum was declined at Day 45 of gestation and reached the basal line at Day 90. The concentration of PAGs was also higher in multiple pregnant than single pregnant ewes. In conclusion, the PAGs can be detected in the serum and urine at Day 16 of gestation in ewes and it may be used as a useful tool for the detection of both pregnancy in the early stage and the number of feti in pregnant ewes.