Efficacy of a Commercially Available LH Surge Detection Test Strip in the Domestic Bitch.
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Date
2020-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Breeding management in the domestic bitch is often utilized in cases of infertility, when the male is not available, or if semen quantity is limited. The process is important but can be costly. Often, endocrine testing will be performed to estimate the timing of ovulation via serum progesterone levels or luteinizing hormone (LH) to accurately determine the optimal timing for insemination. Because of the cost, inconvenience, and stress on the dog, many commercially available tests are available, acting as potential substitutes for conventional methods. It is questionable whether these methods have any accuracy, as research is often limited. One such method includes test strips marketed to detect the presence of the LH surge by measuring the hormone in vaginal secretions. However, our preliminary data show these strips respond positively to glucose solutions regardless of LH serum presence. Research performed in women indicate vaginal glucose may have a correlation with ovulation, but this is unknown to be true in the domestic bitch. Our hypothesis is that the reliability of the commercial LH strips will not compare to that of the techniques widely used by veterinarians today. Our study will evaluate the reproductive cycles of a population of bitches (n=10) with traditional methods in order to determine the LH surge, so that one can predict the time of ovulation and maximum fertility. As part of a clinical trial conducted at the OSU Veterinary Medical Center, we will evaluate hormonal levels of bitches on the days leading up to and following ovulation. We will also monitor glucose concentrations of vaginal fluid during the periovulatory period. Results will be compared across tests to see if commercially available LH strips can be effective for detection of the LH surge, and to determine whether there is a change in vaginal glucose throughout the periovulatory period.
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Keywords
Theriogenology, Breeding Management, Canine, Ovulation, Estrus