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Veterinary research communications2025; 50(1); 65; doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-10972-w

Sequential changes in serum protein profiles in pregnant Spanish purebred mares.

Abstract: This study investigates sequential changes in serum protein fractions during gestation in 31 pregnant Spanish Purebred mares compared to 15 non-pregnant control. Total serum proteins (TSP) were measured using the Biuret method, while albumin (ALB), total globulins (tGLOB), and their subfractions (α₁, α₂, β₁, β₂, γ-GLOB) were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Pregnant mares showed significant changes in serum protein profiles throughout gestation. TSP and tGLOB concentrations increased from mid to late pregnancy (months 6-11), while ALB concentrations declined between months 6-8 and rose again from months 9-11 (p ≤ 0.05). The ALB/GLOB ratio was lower in pregnant mares during months 6-9. α₁- and α₂-GLOB concentrations remained consistently elevated across all gestational stages (p ≤ 0.05). β₁-GLOBs exhibited stage-specific fluctuations, whereas β₂-GLOBs remained stable. γ-GLOB followed a triphasic pattern: an early increase (months 1-4), a mid-gestation decline (months 5-6), and a late gestation rise (months 7-11) (p ≤ 0.05). These results underscore dynamic, stage-dependent shifts in serum protein fractions during equine pregnancy. The progressive increase in α₁-, α₂-, and γ-GLOBs suggests heightened immune activity and preparation for passive immunity transfer. Changes in ALB and β₁-GLOBs likely reflect metabolic and transport adaptations. Electrophoretic profiling of serum proteins may offer a valuable approach for monitoring maternal and fetal health throughout gestation.
© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.
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Publication Date: 2025-12-08 PubMed ID: 41359241PubMed Central: 6924087DOI: 10.1007/s11259-025-10972-wGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study examined how serum protein levels change during pregnancy in Spanish Purebred mares, comparing pregnant mares to non-pregnant controls.
  • By tracking various protein fractions over the course of gestation, the research highlights important physiological adaptations related to immunity and metabolism.

Objective and Study Design

  • The main objective was to investigate sequential changes in serum proteins throughout pregnancy in Spanish Purebred mares.
  • The study included 31 pregnant mares and 15 non-pregnant mares serving as controls.
  • Serum samples were collected monthly during gestation to assess protein profiles over time.

Methods Used

  • Total serum proteins (TSP) were measured using the Biuret method, a common protein assay technique.
  • Agarose gel electrophoresis was employed to separate and quantify albumin (ALB), total globulins (tGLOB), and globulin subfractions: α₁, α₂, β₁, β₂, and γ-globulins (γ-GLOB).
  • Statistical analysis compared protein levels between pregnant and non-pregnant mares and evaluated changes over pregnancy months.

Key Findings: Changes in Total Protein Concentrations

  • Total serum proteins (TSP) and total globulins (tGLOB) increased notably from mid (month 6) to late pregnancy (month 11), indicating an overall rise in serum proteins as gestation progressed.
  • Albumin (ALB) concentrations dropped between months 6 and 8, followed by an increase from months 9 to 11, suggesting variable metabolic or transport demands during different gestational stages.
  • The albumin to globulin (ALB/GLOB) ratio was significantly lower in pregnant mares between months 6-9, reflecting the relative increase in globulins during this period.

Globulin Fraction Dynamics During Gestation

  • α₁- and α₂-globulins: Both subfractions were consistently elevated throughout pregnancy, indicating sustained changes likely related to immune function and inflammation regulation.
  • β₁-globulins: Showed fluctuations depending on the gestational stage, pointing to dynamic physiological adjustments.
  • β₂-globulins: Remained relatively stable, suggesting these proteins are less affected by pregnancy.
  • γ-globulins (γ-GLOB): Exhibited a complex triphasic pattern:
    • Early gestation (months 1-4): Increased levels, which may correspond to activation of the immune system early in pregnancy.
    • Mid gestation (months 5-6): Levels declined, possibly reflecting immunomodulation to support fetal tolerance.
    • Late gestation (months 7-11): Levels rose again, preparing for passive immunity transfer to the foal via colostrum.

Physiological and Clinical Implications

  • The progressive rise in α₁-, α₂-, and γ-globulins suggests heightened immune activity and a buildup of immune proteins that can protect both mare and fetus.
  • Changes in albumin and β₁-globulins are likely related to adjustments in metabolism and transport functions to meet the growing fetal demands.
  • The dynamic protein profile can reflect both maternal health and fetal development status throughout pregnancy.

Utility and Future Applications

  • Electrophoretic profiling of serum proteins is a useful tool for monitoring the physiological state of pregnant mares.
  • Tracking serum protein fractions can help veterinarians assess maternal well-being and detect potential gestational complications early.
  • This approach could guide tailored management and intervention strategies to improve reproductive outcomes in Spanish Purebred mares and potentially other horse breeds.

Cite This Article

APA
Satué K, Fauci D, Fazio E, Velasco-Martínez MG, Bruschetta G, Medica P. (2025). Sequential changes in serum protein profiles in pregnant Spanish purebred mares. Vet Res Commun, 50(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-10972-w

Publication

Veterinary research communications
ISSN: 1573-7446
NlmUniqueID: 8100520
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 50
Issue: 1
Pages: 65

Researcher Affiliations

Satué, Katiuska
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU- Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46115, Spain.
Fauci, Deborah La
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy. deblafauci@unime.it.
Fazio, Esterina
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy.
Velasco-Martínez, María Gemma
  • Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, CEU- Cardenal Herrera University, Tirant lo Blanc, 7, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, 46115, Spain.
Bruschetta, Giuseppe
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy.
Medica, Pietro
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Physiology Unit, Polo Universitario Annunziata, Via Palatucci 13, Messina, 98168, Italy.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Horses / blood
  • Horses / physiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Blood Proteins / analysis
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism
  • Pregnancy, Animal / blood
  • Spain

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Ethics approval: All methods and procedures used in the present study followed the guidelines of Spanish law (RD 37/2014) that regulates the protection of animals used for scientific purposes. The Animal Ethics Committee for the Care and Use of Animals of the CEU-Cardenal Herrera University (Spain) concluded that the proposed study did not need ethical approval, since this experiment was part of the clinical evaluation of the animals at this stage of their cycle. Informed consent statement: Informed consent was obtained from the owners of all subjects involved in the study. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

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