The evaluation of a new rapid milk progesterone test as an aid to improving dairy herd fertility

Abstract A new enzyme-amplified immunoassay (AELIA tm ) for the measurement of progesterone in bovine milk has been developed which offers advantages over the radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods currently in use. The benefits of this new system include the use of monoclonal antibodies and an enzyme-amplification system which results in a rapid yet highly sensitive test that is ideally suited for use in veterinary laboratories. This paper describes a trial using this new system for the confirmation of oestrus and for the determination of pregnancy 24 days after insemination. Accuracy of interpretation was slightly improved using the AELIA tm technique which suggests that this new method provides a suitable alternative to the RIA systems currently in use. The speed and sensitivity achieved using the AELIA tm provides great potential for its use as an integral part of a herd fertility scheme.