Quantitative Progesterone Testing

Improve conception rates

When considering breeding your bitch, ovulation timing is key for being successful and improving conception rates. In order to obtain the ovulation date, certain events have to be noted such as the following: knowing the first day the bitch comes into season, starting progesterone testing on day 5 or 6 of the cycle, and correlating vaginal cytology with progesterone results. 

You might wonder “what is progesterone?” and “how can I test it?” 

Progesterone (P4) is the most important hormone in female dog reproduction which allows us to time ovulation, parturition, and reproduction abnormalities. Progesterone levels are assessed by obtaining a blood sample for laboratory testing.

We have the ability to run progesterone tests in-house. This allows us to have same-day results and run daily tests if needed or recommended by our veterinarian. By obtaining these quantitative results, we are able to estimate when ovulation occurs which will help us determine the bitch’s most fertile day. Ovulation timing is also necessary in order to determine when to inseminate depending on the method of insemination (TCI, Surgical insemination, vaginal insemination)  and type of semen being utilized (fresh, chilled, or frozen). 

Always keep in mind, each bitch may have a different cycle. We follow certain guidelines that help us determine the best timeline for breeding, but occasionally, patients do not follow the latter.