Accuracy of pregnancy detection by serum protein (PSPB) in elk

• Published in: Wildlife Society bulletin Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 695 - 698
• Main Authors: Noyes, J.H. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, La Grande, OR.), Sasser, R.G, Johnson, B.K, Bryant, L.D, Alexander, B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda The Wildlife Society 01-10-1997; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Animal reproduction; CERVUS ELAPHUS; Deer; Elks; Embryos; ENSAYO; FAUNE ET FLORE SAUVAGES; GESTACION; GESTATION; GESTION; MANAGEMENT; PREGNANCY; Proteins; Reflectors; Techniques; TESTAGE; TESTING; Training devices; Ungulates; VIDA SILVESTRE; WILDLIFE; Wildlife biology; Wildlife ecology
• ISSN: 0091-7648; 1938-5463

Blood sera from 225 Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) were tested for presence of pregnancy-specific protein-B (PSPB) and compared to pregnancy results from uterus examinations. Lowering the criterion used to indicate pregnancy from 95% to 93% binding of elk antiserum to bovine PSPB improved overall pregnancy detection accuracy from 94% to 96% and reduced the rate of false positive tests from 15% to 3%. No relationship was observed (P = 0.62) between percent binding and day of gestation.