Pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone and some biochemical attributes concentrations in the fetal fluids and serum and its relationship with fetal and placental characteristics of Iraqi riverine buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

This study was carried out to demonstrate the pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB), progesterone and some biochemical parameters concentrations in amniotic fluid, allantoic fluid and fetal serum collected from slaughtered Iraqi riverine pregnant buffaloes at three different months of gestation (6th, 7th and 8th). Ten out of 22 adult buffaloes of 4.6 +/- 0.97 years old were used in this study. The buffaloes were mated naturally by monitoring the estrus cycles via appearance of vaginal fluids and mounting by bulls. Pregnancy was checked for these buffaloes by non-returning to estrus for three estrus cycles and assured by rectal palpation on day 61 post-mating (PM). Buffaloes were slaughtered at three different periods of gestation (three at 6th month, four at 7th month and three at 8th month of gestation) to verify the progesterone and PSPB as well as some blood attributes levels (glucose, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulins and albumin: globulins ratio) in amniotic fluid (AF), allantoic fluid (LF) and fetal serum (FS). Progesterone was higher (P < 0.01) in LF at the 8th month of gestation and lower in FS during the 7th and 8th months of pregnancy. PSPB concentrations were greater in FS (6th and 8th months in particular) than in both AF and LF. The overall mean of cholesterol concentration was higher in FS (P < 0.05) followed by AF and LF that had the lowest concentration. The FS exhibited higher total protein during the three gestation periods. Most of fetal and placental measurements increased as the pregnancy advanced. In conclusion, these results described, for the first time, the PSPB and progesterone concentrations and blood characteristics in fetal fluids and serum in water riverine buffaloes during different stages of pregnancy. Progesterone concentrations were greater in allantoic fluid than in other fluids. In contrast, PSPB and other blood attributes were higher in fetal serum than other fluids of Iraqi riverine buffaloes. These findings reflect the changes in hormones, proteins and other metabolites during different gestation periods. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.