Use of pregnancy-specific protein-B and estrone sulfate for determination of pregnancy on Day 49 in fallow deer (Dama dama)

The objective of this study was to determine if pregnancy specific protein-B (PSPB) and estrone sulfate (E₁SO₄) could be used to determine pregnancy status in fallow deer (Dama dama). Forty mature does were synchronized for estrus with an intravaginal progesterone-releasing device (CIDR) and then artificially inseminated via laparoscopy with frozen semen on one day. Ultrasound examination and jugular blood sampling were done 49 days later. Transrectal ultrasonography was done to presumptively determine the pregnancy status at the time of blood sampling. Serum estrone sulfate concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in pregnant (n=31) than nonpregnant (n=9) females at 49 days of gestation (166.7 ± 25.9 pg/ml vs 36.3 ± 11.1 pg/ml, respectively). The percentage of [¹²⁵I]PSPB bound was significantly (P < 0.01) lower when sera of pregnant (n=29) versus nonpregnant (n=9) females was added to RIA tubes (63.7 ± 1.6% vs 98.1 ± 1.6%, respectively). There were 30 fawns born from the group of females that were diagnosed pregnant based on ultrasound. We conclude that estrone sulfate and PSPB can be used to determine pregnancy status in fallow deer at 49 days of gestation.