| 摘要 |
This invention provides improved methods for early detection of ungulate (e.g., bovine) pregnancy, and novel antibodies useful in such assays. The antibodies are generated by using specific amino acid sequences within ubiquitin cross-reactive protein (UCRP) as immunogens. Elevated levels of UCRP proteins, when detected in a sample (e.g., bodily fluid) of the animal from days 15-30, and especially days 15-28 after insemination, indicate that the animal is pregnant. The invention can be employed to increase efficiency of commercial farm animal breeding programs. |
