The relationship between progesterone and biochemical constituents of amniotic fluid with placenta traits in Iranian crossbred ewes (Arkhar-Merino×Ghezel)

ObjectiveTo determine the values of amniotic fluid (AF) progesterone and biochemical constituents and its associated placenta traits in Iranian crossbred ewes (Arkhar-Merino×Ghezel).MethodsSixty ewes (2-5 years old, weighing 40-50 kg) were treated with controlled internal drug release induced 30 mg progesterone for 14 d and were injected with 400 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin at the time of CIDR withdrawal. After the detection of estrus, ewes were hand-mated. After expelling of each fetus accompanied by fetal membranes, 10 mL AF was taken from fetal sac for spectrophotometer methods (glucose, urea, creatinine, total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium and phosphorus) and radioimmunoassay (progesterone) analysis.ResultsResults indicated that there were highly positive correlations between placental efficiency and cotyledon density (r=0.764, P<0.01), and negative correlation between placental weight (PW) with the total volume amniotic fluid (TVAF) (r=−0.872, P<0.01). A positive relationship was calculated between TVAF with total protein and creatinine (r=0.418, P<0.01 and r=0.639, P<0.05, respectively). However, the correlation between the glucose and PW, cotyledon length and calcium were significantly positive (r=0.704 and r=0.712; P<0.01, respectively). The findings of this study demonstrated that there were no relationships between progesterone concentrations and placental traits (P>0.01), except for PW (r=0.665).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the significant correlation between the AF biochemical and progesterone with placental traits for the above-mentioned metabolites suggests that metabolic changes in AF levels will reflect the condition in the AF.