Analysis of progesterone hormone profile for diagnosis of early embryonic death in Aceh cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of progesterone in Aceh cows. A total of 10 Aceh cows aged 3 - 7 years, weighing 150 - 250 kg, clinically healthy, and having normal reproduction (have been breeding and have experienced at least two regular cycles) were used in this study. Estrus synchronization was carried out in all cows using the PGF2α and then Artificial Insemination (AI) was performed during estrus. Serum sample collection was carried out on days 5th, 6th, and 7th after AI to examine progesterone concentrations. The concentration of progesterone was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Pregnancy and embryonic death were examined by ultrasonography on days 25 to 45 post AI at 10-day intervals. The average concentration of the progesterone in pregnant Aceh cows and cows that experienced early embryonic death on days 5, 6, and 7 after AI were 2.75 ± 3.21 and 0.71 ± 0.32; 3.37 ± 2.89 and 0.96 ± 0.71; 8.02 ± 5.19 and 1.61 ± 0.77 ng/mL, respectively. In conclusion, the concentration of progesterone in pregnant Aceh cows tends to increase and higher than Aceh cows with early embryonic death.