Progesterone profiles in the puerperium period of dairy cows analized by radioimmunoassay and enzymimmunoassay

Abstract

Four basic types of progesterone curves were observed in the puerperium of 49 dairy cows, analyzed by Radioimmunoassay (RIA) and Enzymimmunoassay (EIA) methods. The progesterone profile showed variable frequencies in each type of curve. According to the first post-partum (p.p.) ovarian activity, the classification was: 1. Early start of the ovarian function between the 15^st and the 21^st day p.p. (20.4% of the animals). 2. Delayed start of ovarian activity around the 30^th day P.P. (34.7% of the animals). 3. Progesterone peak much beyond the end of the clinical puerperium, around the 60^th day p.p. (40.8% of the animals). 4. No progesterone peak until the 72^nd day p.p. (4.1% of the animals).