The viscosity of the sample changes with time. The lower the viscosity the faster it runs on the cassette. We optimized the test to run with samples that are between one hour and 2 days old. To make sure the sample follows our standard curve, it needs to be at least one hour old.

Progesterone in the blood is present as a free circulating molecule or as a protein bound molecule.

The free progesterone is the biologically active progesterone, which means that is the progesterone responsible for the mare’s cycle and reproduction.

Equine Quick P4 test detects only the biologically active progesterone in a plasma sample.

The minimum safe level to maintain pregnancy is ≥ 4ng/mL.

<1ng/ml of progesterone indicates a progesterone-deficient mare. Mares with progesterone concentrations below 4 may be at increased risk of pregnancy loss.

To determine if progesterone levels are adequate to maintain pregnancy, you need to test a plasma sample 12-14 days after ovulation. Retest at various intervals during pregnancy to ensure adequate progesterone levels are being maintained.

To detect pregnancy, test 21-23 days after breeding. The progesterone concentration should be ≥5ng/mL.

Note: Quick P4 indicates the presence of progesterone, not specifically pregnancy. A positive indication of pregnancy should be confirmed by palpation or ultrasound.

• • More than one drop of sample is added to the cassette.
• Adding less than 3 drops of Dropper Bottle B solution. If less than 3 drops of buffer are added - there will not be enough buffer to run the sample through the membrane. The Test and Control Line may then not develop correctly causing the test to become invalid.

• • Control line is not visible.
• Lines are faint or not present.

Note: If you are not sure about the results you can do the following: Take a picture of the cassette and then call or email TargetVet/ Biometallics ASAP - we will be happy to offer assistance.

Sensitivity for Equine Quick P4 is 93.5% and specificity 95.2% based on our analysis of 72 mare samples.

All kits are sent with 2-day shipping which does not require ice or special packaging. However, customers should refrigerate the kits upon receiving them to maintain the 1-year shelf life.

Collect the blood sample into a purple EDTA or heparin coated tube for plasma or red top tube for serum. Do NOT use gel separator type tubes.

No, whole blood would clog the test and you would not get any blue color or you could have a splash of blue instead of a nice blue dot.

You could either spin the blood down with a centrifuge for 10 min at 2500rmp, or allow the blood to clot at room temperature for ½-1hr or until clear serum collects in the top of the tube.

Poor washing, poor sample quality (sample is hemolyzed or lipemic).

Always use the majority of the spot color in order to rate the color result. A darker blue around the edge is due to poor washing (washing around edges is always more difficult). Accurate results require good quality samples (straw-colored) sera/plasma. Target canine should be read at 9 min. After 9 min, it could become darker blue or gray.

Note: If you are not sure about the results or have problems comparing the test color intensities with the Results Interpretation Table – you can do take a picture of the cup and then call or email TargetVet/ BioMetallics ASAP - we will be happy to offer you more support.

No. The Target Canine Ovulation Kit is optimized for dogs only. We also sell a Target Equine Ovulation Kit - specific for horses.

The differences between the Canine and Equine Target tests are listed below:

1. Interpretation Color Chart corresponds to different Progesterone concentrations.

Equine

• • Bright Blue (C1) is 0-1ng/mL
• • Light Blue (C2) is 1-2ng/mL
• • Faint Blue (C3) is 2.1-5 ng/mL
• • White (C4) is >5 ng/mL

Canine

• • Bright Blue (C1) is1ng/mL
• • Light Blue (C2) is 1-3ng/mL
• • Faint Blue (C3) is 3-10ng/mL
• • White (C4) is >10ng/mL

If an equine customer wants to monitor pregnancy, a C3 (3-5ng/mL) or a C4 (>5ng/mL) color makes a big difference. If the test results in a C3 color, the mare will need supplements to maintain pregnancy but if a C4 color is shown, then the pregnancy is maintained, and no supplementation is necessary. If the Canine test was tried to test an equine sample, the results will not identify the difference between 3-5 and >5 ng/ml due to the fact that on the canine test they only see a C3 color.

2. Equine and Canine samples have different viscosities (thickness).

Canine samples are less viscous than equine samples. Hence, the two samples behave differently on how they flow on the test surface. TargetVet/BioMetallics optimized the equine progesterone test using equine samples to get the correct blue color. We use only canine samples to optimize the Target Canine.

3. Time. The equine test is read at 7 minutes. The canine test is read at 9 minutes.

If interested - The Equine Target test is sold either in 6 or 12 test packages. See our website store for more details.