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Veterinary clinical pathology2008; 38(1); 73-77; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2008.00100.x

Serum protein concentrations from clinically healthy horses determined by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Abstract: Serum protein electrophoresis is a useful screening test in equine laboratory medicine. The method can provide valuable information about changes in the concentrations of albumin and alpha-, beta-, and gamma-globulins and thereby help characterize dysproteinemias in equine patients. Reference values for horses using agarose gel as a support medium have not been reported. Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for serum protein concentrations in adult horses using agarose gel electrophoresis and to assess differences between warm-blooded and heavy draught horses. In addition, the precision of electrophoresis for determining fraction percentages and the detection limit were determined. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 126 clinically healthy horses, including 105 Thoroughbreds and 21 heavy draught horses of both sexes and ranging from 2 to 20 years of age. The total protein concentration was determined by an automated biuret method. Serum protein electrophoresis was performed using a semi-automated agarose gel electrophoresis system. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were calculated for within-run and within-assay precision. Data from warm-blooded and draught horses were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Within-run and within-assay CVs were <5% for all protein fractions. No significant difference was found between warm-blooded and heavy draught horses and so combined reference intervals (2.5-97.5%) were calculated for total protein (51.0-72.0 g/L), albumin (29.6-38.5 g/L), alpha(1)-globulin (1.9-3.1 g/L), alpha(2)-globulin (5.3-8.7 g/L), beta(1)-globulin (2.8-7.3g/L), beta(2)-globulin (2.2-6.0 g/L), and gamma-globulin (5.8-12.7 g/L) concentrations, and albumin/globulin ratio (0.93-1.65). Conclusions: Using agarose gel as the supporting matrix for serum protein electrophoresis in horses resulted in excellent resolution and accurate results that facilitated standardization into 6 protein fractions.
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Publication Date: 2008-12-15 PubMed ID: 19171019DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-165X.2008.00100.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article covers a study on the use of agarose gel electrophoresis to determine serum protein concentrations in healthy horses. The study seeks to establish reference intervals that can be utilized to diagnose dysproteinemias in equine patients.

Objective

  • The research studied the levels of serum proteins: albumin, and alpha, beta, and gamma-globulins in horses. The aim was to establish reference ranges that could help detect dysproteinemias, conditions characterized by abnormal levels of blood proteins.
  • The study also aimed to establish whether there are differences in protein levels between warm-blooded and heavy draught horses.
  • Lastly, the research sought to determine the precision of electrophoresis in calculating protein fraction percentages and its detection limit.

Methodology

  • Blood samples were collected from 126 healthy horses, comprising both Thoroughbreds and heavy draught horses of varying ages.
  • The total protein concentration was ascertained using an automated biuret method followed by serum protein electrophoresis. This was performed using a semi-automated agarose gel electrophoresis system.
  • The consistency of the measurements was computed through coefficients of variation (CVs), examining the within-run and within-assay precision.
  • Data between the warm-blooded and draught horses were compared using a non-parametric statistical test known as the Mann-Whitney U test.

Results

  • The CVs for all protein fractions were less than 5%, reflecting high precision in the measurement of protein fraction percentages.
  • No significant differences were found in the protein levels between the warm-blooded and heavy draught horses, enabling the establishment of general reference ranges for both types.
  • The established reference intervals encompassed measures for total proteins, albumin, alpha(1), alpha(2), beta(1), beta(2), and gamma-globulin concentrations, and albumin/globulin ratio.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that agarose gel provided excellent support for serum protein electrophoresis in horses.
  • The established reference intervals for protein concentrations could facilitate better diagnosis and treatment strategies for dysproteinemias among equine patients.

Cite This Article

APA
Riond B, Wenger-Riggenbach B, Hofmann-Lehmann R, Lutz H. (2008). Serum protein concentrations from clinically healthy horses determined by agarose gel electrophoresis. Vet Clin Pathol, 38(1), 73-77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-165X.2008.00100.x

Publication

Veterinary clinical pathology
ISSN: 0275-6382
NlmUniqueID: 9880575
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 38
Issue: 1
Pages: 73-77

Researcher Affiliations

Riond, Barbara
  • Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Wenger-Riggenbach, Bettina
    Hofmann-Lehmann, Regina
      Lutz, Hans

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Blood Proteins / analysis
        • Electrophoresis, Agar Gel / veterinary
        • Horses / blood

        Citations

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