EARLY-PREGNANCY DETECTION AND THE HORMONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF EMBRYONIC-FETAL MORTALITY IN FALLOW DEER (DAMA-DAMA)

The objectives of this investigation were to 1) determine serum concen trations of progesterone (P-4), estrone sulfate (E1S) and pregnancy-sp ecific protein B (PSPB) from estrus synchronization through mid-gestat ion in the fallow doe (Dama dama) and 2) characterize the hormonal pro files of does whose embryos or fetuses died in utero. Ten fallow does were synchronized for 14 d with an intravaginal P-4-releasing device ( CIDR) and were naturally mated after CIDR removal. Blood samples were collected at CIDR insertion, CIDR removal and at intervals through Day 203 post-CIDR removal for analysis of P-4, E1S and PSPB by radioimmun oassay (RIA). Ultrasonography was performed on Days 49 and 69 post-CID R removal. Serum P-4 at the time of CIDR insertion was 4.8 +/- 0.6 ng/ ml, and at CIDR withdrawal it was 6.2 +/- 0.3 ng/ml. Concentrations of E1S and PSPB were nondetectable at CIDR insertion. Serum E1S was high est at Day 93, and PSPB was first detectable in pregnant does at Days 27 to 30 post-CIDR withdrawal. Ultrasonography on Day 49 revealed that 6 does were pregnant, 2 were not pregnant and 2 others were diagnosed originally as early pregnant. At Day 69, ultrasonography revealed tha t 6 does (60%) were pregnant and 4 (40%) were not. A comparison of the ultrasonographic and hormonal data indicated that the 2 does diagnose d as early pregnant on Day 49 had conceived but had lost the pregnancy . A third doe which was pregnant on Day 69 lost the fetus later in ges tation. Hormonal profiles of does whose embryo or fetus had died were characterized by erratic P-4 and E1S profiles, with PSPB becoming unde tectable in the 3 does by Days 49, 65 and 80 post-CIDR removal. These data 1) demonstrate the timing for the collection of serum samples for determining early pregnancy in fallow does using 3 hormonal methods a nd 2) characterize the hormonal profiles of 3 fallow does with embryon ic-fetal loss. (C) 1998 by Elsevier Science Inc.