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Review
. 2022 Aug 10;12(16):2033.
doi: 10.3390/ani12162033.

Using Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) to Improve Reproductive Management: From Dairy Cows to Other Dairy Livestock

Olimpia Barbato  1 , Laura Menchetti  2 , Gabriele Brecchia  2 , Vittoria Lucia Barile  3
Affiliations
Review

Using Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins (PAGs) to Improve Reproductive Management: From Dairy Cows to Other Dairy Livestock

Olimpia Barbato et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

Pregnancy success represents a major issue for the economic income of cattle breeders. Early detection of pregnant and non-pregnant animals, as well as the prediction of early pregnancy failure, can influence farm management decisions. Several diagnostic tools for pregnancy are currently available. Among these, pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) have been shown to be useful for identifying the presence of vital embryos and for pregnancy follow-up monitoring. This review presents an overview of the PAGs' functions, their pregnancy trends, and their use as a tool to improve reproductive management in bovine and other dairy livestock, such as small ruminants and buffalos.

Keywords: bovine; buffalo; dairy livestock; goat; pregnancy; pregnancy-associated glycoproteins; reproductive management; sheep.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) plasma profile of a cow during pregnancy and the post-partum period. Adapted from Zoli et al. [16].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pregnancy-associated glycoproteins (PAGs) and progesterone (P4) in a cow that experienced embryonic mortality between days 30 and 40 of gestation. Adapted from Pohler et al. [69].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) plasma profile in Lacaune and Sarda ewes during pregnancy and the post-partum period. * p < 0.001. Adapted from De Carolis et al. [89].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) plasma profile during pregnancy and post-partum in goats. Adapted from Zarrouk et al. [94].
Figure 5
Figure 5
Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) plasma profile during pregnancy in buffalo cows. *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01 versus previous day. Adapted from Barbato et al. [116].
Figure 6
Figure 6
Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) plasma profile in buffalo cows during the post-partum period. *** p < 0.001, ** p < 0.01, * p < 0.05 versus previous day. Adapted from Barbato et al. [116].
Figure 7
Figure 7
Pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (PAG) plasma concentrations in non-pregnant and pregnant buffalo cows, and those that experienced embryonic mortality. Adapted from Barbato et al. [119].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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