Characterization of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein as a biomarker of pregnancy in Etawa crossbred goat

Abstract

Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) is secreted by the placenta, which is produced in mononucleate and binucleate trophoblast cells. The current research was conducted to find out a substance for diagnosing early pregnancy in Etawa crossbred goats. Six Etawa crossbred goats (not pregnant, three months pregnant and four months pregnant) were subjected in the present study from Livestock Government Institution Breeding in Singosari, Malang. The research methods consisted of sample collection, identification PAG with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the determination of concentration with Biuret method and specificity test with Western Blot assay. The obtained results showed that the molecular weight of PAG from pregnant Etawa crossbred goats was 55.85 kDa. The average concentrations of PAG in the goats of non-pregnant, three months pregnant, and four months pregnant were 1.83±2.98, 3.79±2.72 and 4.36±2.63, respectively. The results of the specificity test with the Western Blot molecular revealed a molecular mass of PAG was 55 kDa. The findings of the present study demonstrated PAG in Etawa crossbred goats can be used as an indicator of pregnancy.