[The applicability of a detection method independent of a laboratory for progesterone in the blood plasma of mares (Hygia progesterone test)].

The research investigates the viability of using a progesterone detection method intended for cow’s milk, known as the ‘Hygia Progesterone-Test’, for identifying progesterone levels in mare’s blood. Found to be reliable only in instances of high or low progesterone quantities, the method proves to be inconsistent when dealing with moderate levels of progesterone. Despite its rapid execution, the preparation of blood samples is more time-consuming than that of milk samples, prompting the recommendation of this method for veterinarian use only rather than individual animal owners.

Overview of the Research Topic

• The research focuses on the evaluation of an on-farm progesterone test, known as the “Hygia Progesterone-Test”, traditionally used for cow’s milk, and its applicability to mare’s (female horse’s) blood plasma.
• Tailoring these tests to be simple yet effective is of importance for real-world applications, such as on-site veterinary care or farm management.

Evaluation of Test Precision

• Based on the research findings, this progesterone test is valid for mare’s plasma but only when detecting significantly high or low levels of progesterone.
• However, the test fails to deliver reliable results for moderate levels of progesterone, deeming it insufficiently precise for all-encompassing use.

Execution Time of the Test

• The test can be performed swiftly but the required preparation time for blood samples is lengthier compared to that for milk samples. This can affect the overall time efficiency if the test is frequently implemented.

Recommendations Based on Findings

• Given its partial reliability and the preparation time, the research team suggests that the Hygia Progesterone-Test is suitable for use in veterinary clinics or practices, but not recommended for individual animal owners.
• This recommendation is likely due to the need for more specialized knowledge and skill in preparing and interpreting blood samples, which might not be present outside a professional veterinary setting.