What is BioPRYN^®?

 

BioPRYN^® (Pregnancy Ruminant Yes/No) is a pregnancy detection procedure in cattle, sheep and goats. It measures the presence of Pregnancy-Specific Protein B (PSPB) in the blood circulation of the animal. The PSPB is a protein  produced by the placenta of the growing fetus.

BioPRYN^® begins with collection of a blood sample from the animal. The samples are then shipped to a laboratory where an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is performed. Reports may be downloaded directly into dairy management software.

Using BioPRYN^® assures accuracy when the livestock producer or veterinarian draws blood samples from the animal(s) at the correct time (30 days in cattle, 30 days in goats and 22 days in sheep) after breeding and 90 days after calving in cattle.

 

The Physiology: What the Cow Does

 

After artificial insemination (A.I.) or natural breeding and conception, or after embryo transfer, the placenta containing the embryo develops to a long filamentous structure. Binucleated cells begin to develop on the surface of the placenta before the third week after conception. These cells produce PSPB.

The cells are migratory; they leave the placenta and enter the uterus. Once there they break apart, delivering PSPB to the maternal circulation. PSPB can be detected in some cows early in the third week.

Timing of the BioPRYN^® sample is important to assure 97 percent accuracy on a herd basis. After breeding, one must wait to sample blood at or after 30 days. The lactating cow also must be 90 days after calving to remove residual PSPB of the previous pregnancy from the circulation.  Embryos that have been transferred need two more days for development and thus dams are sampled at 32 DAYS OF EMBRYO AGE.

 

The Convenience: What the Owner/Vet Does

 

To prepare for using BioPRYN^® the herd owner or vet follows these simple tasks:

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