LAUSR

Considering the high perimplantation progesterone (P4) secretion that occurs in female domestic dogs, we hypothesize that fecal P4 concentrations distinguishes pregnant from non-pregnant early luteal bitches. The objective of this study was to compare fecal P4 metabolites in early pregnant vs. non pregnant early luteal bitches. Eighteen 2 to 6 years of age, 5 to 15 kg, pure-bred bitches, that were followed up for breeding management, and 2 ovariectomized (OVX) bitches were included in this study. On pregnancy day 18 to 28, a single fecal sample was collected from each animal. Fecal samples were frozen at -20°C until analysis. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out by ultrasonograhy on day 21. Fecal samples were also collected from the 2 OVX bitches. Fecal P4 metabolites were extracted as based on methods described by Brown et al. (2008) and, then, measured by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Eleven bitches were pregnant (PREG) while 7 were non- pregnant (N-PR). Fecal P4 metabolites concentrations were 283.9±60.4 and 102.7±19.1 (ng/g; P< 0.05) for PREG and N-PR, respectively.  Both values were higher than those of the OVX bitches (9.9±1.1; P< 0.05). This non invasive technique to measure P4 metabolites in feces appears as a simple and non -costly alternative for early pregnancy diagnosis in the domestic dog. Further large scale studies are necessary before this test could be widely recommended.