Abstract
The goal of the presented work was to test both the appropriateness of minimally-invasive
methods (measuring inner-body temperature and obtaining vaginal secretions to determine
pH-values and progesterone levels) to ascertain the optimal time for mating and to determine
the connection of these measurements to the bitchýs cycle. In addition, three different test
processes to determine blood progesterone levels were compared. Between September 1998
and May 2000 fifteen bitches in heat were presented for examination. The established
methods of toleration reflex, assessment of the external genitalia, vaginoscopy, vaginal
cytology and determination of blood progesterone levels were used to determine the estrus,
the supposed onset of ovulation and the optimal time for mating. The minimally-invasive
methods under investigation were also used.
The results were as follows:
The method described in 3.4.8 was appropriate to extract adequate amounts of vaginal
secretion to measure progesterone levels therein.
A connection to the cycle of the animals could be shown in the pH-values and progesterone
levels of the vaginal secretions and in the inner-body temperatures.
The pH-value in the vaginal secretions of all of the examined bitches decreased during the
time they were in heat and then rose again.
The decrease in pH-value occurred during estrus in 14 of 15 examined animals.
Nine animals displayed a decrease in pH-value from 8,5 to 7,5; in four animals the decrease
was from 8,5 to 8; in one animal the decrease was from 8,5 to 7 and in another from 8 to 7,5.
The medium decrease in pH-value was 0.866 ± 0.286. The decrease in pH-value in the
vaginal secretions occurred in days 0 to 2 p.o. in 14 of 15 examined animals and continued for a medium period of 2.333 ± 1.534 days, so that it occurred in 93.3% of the animals in the
fertile period of their ovum. This measurement is thus appropriate for determining the optimal
time for mating.
Among all established methods to determine the optimal time for mating, the comparison of
pH-values in vaginal secretions showed the greatest correspondence with the cycle of the
bitches.
An increase in progesterone in the vaginal secretions was determined in 13 of 15 animals
during the period in which they were in heat.
The increase was measurable beginning on the eighth day p.o. in six of the animals; beginning
on the 4 th day p.o. in 2 animals, and beginning on days 0, 2, 3, 7 and 9 p.o. respectively in 5
other animals. Progesterone in the vaginal secretions of 2 animals was below detectable levels
throughout the period in which they were in heat.
Thus in 66.667% of the examined animals an increase in progesterone in their vaginal
secretions occurred outside of the period of fertility of their ova.
Determination of the progesterone levels in vaginal secretion is not appropriate to ascertain
the optimal time for mating, even when the progesterone level increases during the cycle.
Rectal measurements of the inner-body temperatures of the examined animals during the
period in which they were in heat showed a decrease and then an increase in inner-body
temperature.
The medium decrease in inner-body temperature was 0.596 ± 0.229° C, and ranged between
0.2°C and 1.02°C among the individual animals.
The medium rectal temperature was at its lowest point on day 3 p.o.
All of the animals had their lowest inner-body temperatures between days 0 and 4 p.o.
66.667% of the animals had their lowest inner-body temperature on day 2 or 3 p.o., at the
beginning of their fertility.
Measurement of inner-body temperature can be used as a parameter in determining the
optimal time for mating a bitch, because the decrease in inner-body temperature occurs either
before or during the fertile period of the ovum.
Of the examined testing processes for blood progesterone levels, the Target â canine ovulation
timing kit showed the greatest concurrence with the temperature curve. In this comparison,
77.334% of the bitches had their lowest inner-body temperature on day 2 or day 3 p.o.
The Hormonost â Test shows the ovulation later than the Target â canine ovulation timing kit,
which is presumably a result of the differences in the defined areas of measurement of these
two semi-quantitative processes.
The RIA of ICN is appropriate for observing the luteal phase.
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