Progesterone

Lab Section	Clinical Pathology
Test Description	This test measures the level of progesterone in a serum sample.
Species	All

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Sample Type	Serum
Container	Red top tube or other sterile container without additive
Special Submission Instructions	Send serum only. Centrifuge blood and remove serum from clot. Ship with cold packs OVERNIGHT Monday-Thursday.
Turnaround time	1 business day
Interpretation	Bovine: serum progesterone > 2ng/mL confirms the presence of functional luteal tissue (CL or luteinized ovarian cyst)Canine: 1. Timing of breeding The ovulatory LH surge usually happens on the day when the serum progesterone concentration for the first time exceeds 2 ng/mL; ovulation usually happens when the serum progesterone concentration exceeds 5 ng/mL; Oocytes mature to the secondary oocyte stage (when they can be fertilized) two days AFTER ovulation (or 4 days after the LH surge) and remain viable for 3-4 days. Optimal time for breeding is therefore 4-6 days after the LH surge or 2-4 days after ovulation 2. Timing of elective cesarean section A sudden, precipitous fall in serum progesterone concentration, rather than an absolute value indicates that he bitch will whelp within 24 hours of collecting the most recent serum sample; therefore, a series of daily serum progesterone concentrations in samples collected from 62 days after the LH surge (or 58 days after the last breeding) will be of most value when attempting to identify the last day of gestation 3. Hypoluteoidism As long as serum progesterone concentrations stay above 2 ng/mL abortion due to hypoluteoidism is unlikely Exogenous progestogen therapy is usually indicated when serum progesterone concentrations fall below 5 ng/mL at day 50 after the LH surge For further advice contact the Theriogenology Service of the VHC at (573) 882 1594

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and Missouri’s only laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Tier I Lab of the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Response Network, and a National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized lab. The VMDL maintains an effective quality assurance and quality control program.

The VMDL has formal anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, and clinical microbiology training programs. The VMDL faculty hold academic appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. The director is administratively responsible to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for the overall operation of the laboratory and its multiple missions of public service, teaching, research and continuing education/extension.

The VMDL faculty and staff work diligently to provide relevant, timely and cost-effective diagnostic services to our clients and to create a positive learning environment for our students and residents. In 2024, veterinarians, animal owners and researchers from 103 Missouri counties and cities, as well as from 51 states and provinces outside Missouri, continued to rely on the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (VMDL) diagnostic services. The lab performed approximately 63,500 total cases and conducted nearly 204,500 tests.