Antigenic assay for protein C determination in horses.

The research study is about the development of an antigenic assay for determining the levels of protein C in horses using a process that involves isolation from equine plasma and production of specific anti bodies in goats.

Introduction and Methodology

• The study was based on the development of an antigenic assay for determining the protein C in horses. This is an essential protein in the body of horses that is majorly involved in the natural coagulant activity of the blood and is Vitamin-K dependent.
• For the procedure, protein C was first isolated from the equine plasma. Following which, a specific type of antibody was produced in goats that could react with the isolated protein C. This led to the establishment of a rocket electroimmunophoresis assay.

Tests and Verification

• Tests were conducted to confirm the identity of the protein C that was isolated. This was done to ensure that the correct protein was being tested.
• In addition to this, checks were also performed to ascertain the purity of the antibody that was produced. A pure antibody is vital to ensure that the reaction in the assay is specific and reliable.

Comparison and Results

• The assay was used to measure the protein C antigen from the plasma of 34 clinically normal horses. Simultaneously, amidolytic function values were recorded.
• The average (mean) values gathered from both the tests (antigen content measurement and amidolytic activity assays) were similar, but the correlation coefficient was low (0.1), indicating discrepancy in the results.

Experiment with Sodium Coumarin

• Further experiments were conducted involving four horses that were given Sodium Coumarin. Observations revealed a stark decrease in plasma protein C amidolytic activity and only a minimal decrease in protein C antigen content. This indicated the differential impact of sodium coumarin intake on protein C activity and content.