Validación biológica de la técnica de extracción a campo de progesterona fecal en el gato doméstico (Felis catus)

The objective of this article was to biologically validate in domestic felids the "field method" for progesterone (P4) fecal extraction by a correlating fecal and serum values. Additionally, fecal P 4 concentrations in different stages of estrous cycle were compared. A total at of 16 fecal samples from 13 postpubertal female cats were used. The samples were collected during estrus (n=3), luteal phase (n=10), and gestation (n=3) defined by behavior, vaginal cytology or ultrasonography. Simultaneously blood samples were drawn (n=12). The "field extraction method" was carried out in fecal samples and then P4 was determined by radiommunoassay in all the cases. Fecal P4 concentration ranged from 20 to 463 ng/g wet weight. Pearson correlation coefficient between fecal and serum samples was 0.77 (p< 0.01). Differences between follicular and luteal phase (106 ± 22.5 vs. 304 ± 47.7; p