Abstract
The accuracy of interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15) and interferon-stimulated gene 17 (ISG17) mRNA levels in early detection of pregnancy in Aardi goats compared to progesterone and ultrasound (US) were evaluated. Female goats were synchronized using the ovsynch protocol level in combination with natural mating (NM). Blood samples were collected at 1, 7, 15, 23, 35, and 60 days post NM. Levels of ISG15 and ISG17 mRNAs were assayed using real-time PCR, and serum progesterone (P4) concentrations were assayed using an ELISA kit. Pregnancy detection was performed by US on 23, 35, and 60 days post NM. Serum P4 concentration was significantly higher in pregnant than non-pregnant goats at 15, 23, 35, and 60 days post NM. Relative expression of mRNA of ISG15 and ISG17 was significantly higher in pregnant goats at 7, 15, and 35 days post NM. ISG15 and ISG17 were not significantly different compared to P4 and US in the pregnant and non-pregnant goats. The accuracy of ISG15 and ISG17 was not significantly different than P4 on days 7 and 15 or from P4 and US on day 23 post NM. Decreased accuracy of ISG15 and ISG17 on day 35 might be done to lower levels. US provided accurate pregnancy diagnoses on day 35 (96.97%) and 60 (100%) post NM. ISG15 and ISG17 mRNA levels could be considered good indicators of goat pregnancy on day 23 post NM. These methods will provide early and precise detection of pregnancy compared to the routinely used serum P4 and US methods.