Implementación y Evaluación de Pruebas Serológicas Para el Diagnóstico Temprano de Preñez en Bovinos de la Estación Agraria Cotové.

Abstract

The work carried out at the Cotové Agricultural Station evaluated the implementation of rapid serological tests based on progesterone measurement for the early detection of pregnancy in cattle. This initiative arose in response to the limitations of conventional methods, such as transrectal palpation and ultrasonography, which require specialized personnel. Twenty-two red Brahman females were selected, including heifers, dry cows, and cows that had calved, all of which met reproductive criteria. Each animal underwent serological testing following the Bioeasy kit protocol, and the results were subsequently verified by transrectal palpation. The results showed an 80% diagnostic agreement between the two methods. The main discrepancy corresponded to results classified as “suspicious,” especially in animals less than 60 days post-service, due to variability in progesterone and PAG concentrations during the early stages of gestation. Greater accuracy was observed in cows that had calved and heifers, which is related to the luteal stability of multiparous females. The study also confirmed that proper storage and handling of samples is essential to avoid alterations in the reading of the cassettes. In addition to the technical component, an educational resource was developed for qualified operators to facilitate understanding and application of the method. Its use was well received and improved the appropriation of the diagnostic process. In conclusion, serological tests proved to be practical, rapid, non-invasive, and reliable, constituting a valuable complementary tool for strengthening reproductive programs and optimizing herd management at the Cotové Agricultural Station.