Nöthling, Johan Oliviette, Joonè, Carolynne Jane, and De Cramer, Kurt G.M. (2022) Use of serum progesterone and prostaglandin F-2 alpha metabolite levels to predict onset of parturition in the bitch. Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 57 (6). pp. 635-642.

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Abstract

The prediction of time to onset of parturition in a preparturient bitch is of great clinical value, particularly for bitches at high risk of dystocia and those lacking relevant clinical data from the time of breeding. In a previous study, four cut-offs for plasma progesterone levels, measured by radioimmunoassay, were shown to be useful for predicting the likelihood of a bitch entering stage one of parturition within defined time intervals. The first aim of the current study was to evaluate these cut offs in a clinical setting, using serum progesterone samples drawn from preparturient bitches 12-hourly instead of 6 hourly and assessed using chemiluminescence immunoassay. Furthermore, the use of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F-2 alpha,F- (PGFM), a metabolite of prostaglandin F-2 alpha, in predicting the time to onset of parturition was evaluated. Forty bitches carrying two or more foetuses were admitted to a specialist veterinary reproduction hospital 53 d after the onset of cytological dioestrus when that date was known, or 57 d after the last mating. Vaginal speculum examinations were performed every 6 hr until cervical dilatation was visualized (time of cervical dilatation; TCD). Serum samples were collected at 08h00 and 18h00 daily until TCD. All bitches underwent elective caesarean section at TCD. Results of this study show that approximately 5% and 10% of preparturient bitches will reach TCD within 12 hr despite a serum progesterone level of at least 15.8 nmol/L and 8.7 nmol/L respectively. In addition, there is a 95% probability that a preparturient bitch will reach TCD within 48 hr if her serum progesterone level is below 8.7 nmol/L, and a 91% probability of her reaching TCD within 24 hr if her serum progesterone level is below 3.18 nmol/L. Approximately 90% of bitches that demonstrate a 20% increase in PGFM over a 12-hr period are likely to be within 36 hr of TCD. These results provide useful benchmarks for the management of canine parturition.

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