Progesterone plays a crucial role in dogs, particularly during the estrus cycle and pregnancy of female dogs. As a hormone of pregnancy, progesterone is essential for maintaining pregnancy and the normal development of embryos.
During the estrus cycle of female dogs, progesterone levels undergo significant changes. These changes can reflect whether the female dog is in the estrus stage and whether it is suitable for breeding. At the beginning of the estrus period, progesterone levels begin to rise and reach a peak after ovulation. This peak progesterone level is an important basis for determining whether the female dog has ovulated.
If progesterone levels reach a certain threshold, it can be considered that the female dog has already ovulated, and this is the best time for breeding. However, progesterone levels do not remain constant and fluctuate with the progress of the estrus cycle. Therefore, to accurately determine the breeding timing of female dogs, continuous monitoring of progesterone levels is necessary.
In addition, progesterone levels can also be used to predict the delivery date of female dogs. During pregnancy, progesterone levels remain high until they decline before delivery. Therefore, by monitoring changes in progesterone levels, the timing of the female dog’s delivery can be predicted, and preparations for delivery can be made.
Besides the estrus cycle and pregnancy, progesterone is also related to reproductive system diseases in female dogs. For example, abnormal progesterone levels may cause symptoms such as emotional heat, delayed development, and decreased libido in female dogs. In addition, progesterone levels can also be used to determine whether a female dog has been sterilized. After sterilization, the progesterone levels of female dogs will change, so the success of sterilization can be judged by monitoring progesterone levels.
In conclusion, progesterone plays a crucial role in dogs, especially during the estrus cycle and pregnancy of female dogs. Monitoring changes in progesterone levels can provide important references for managing reproduction and treating diseases by understanding the estrus status, ovulation status, pregnancy status, and reproductive system diseases of female dogs.