A hemolytic assay for the measurement of equine complement.

The researchers have created a more sensitive, repeatable test to measure the functioning of the equine immune system’s “complement” system, using antibody-treated chicken red blood cells. They tracked the overall serum complement levels of five mares and their foals over three months.

Understanding Hemolytic Assay

• A hemolytic assay is a test that measures the ability of a substance to cause the breakdown of red blood cells.
• In this study, a new hemolytic assay was developed specifically for horses.
• The target of the assay were red blood cells from chickens that have been sensitized with antibodies.
• The use of sensitized chicken erythrocytes (red blood cells) heightened the specificity of the test for equine complement activity.

Specificity for Classical Pathway

• The assay was particularly designed to measure the activity of the classical pathway of the complement system. This system plays a vital role in the immune response, enhancing the ability of antibodies to clear microbes and damaged cells, promoting inflammation, and attacking the pathogens’ cell membrane.
• The classical pathway is initiated by the antibody-antigen complex, and its activity is paramount in determining the overall functioning of the complement system.

The Performance of the New Assay

• The assay was found to be more efficient and sensitive than previous versions that used other species’ cells.
• The reproducibility of the assay indicates its potential for consistent results across different situations, enhancing its reliability.

Sampling and Duration

• The total serum complement (CH50) values were determined for five mares and their foals.
• The CH50 value is a measure of the integrity of the classical complement pathway.
• This value was observed and documented over a period of three months, providing enough time to notice any significant changes.