Agarose gel electrophoretic separation of blood serum proteins in cattle.

The agarose gel electrophoresis described by Johansson (1972) was modified so that a buffer of pH 7.9 was used in the gel, whereas the buffer in the electrode vessels had a pH of 8.6.The cattle blood serum protein picture is described in detail. The β₁-globulin zone shows a very distinct picture of the genetically polymorphic bovine transferrins. The region between the α- and β-globulins shows a number of faint and often very distinct bands. A faint background staining over the whole electrophoretogram may partly be caused by a rather strong lipoprotein in the α₁-region, lipids thus having migrated all over the electrophoretogram.The modified method described is well suited as a “screen electrophoresis” for cattle serum and is also useful e.g. in studying bovine transferrin polymorphism.     

Comparison of blood serum proteins in water buffaloes with traumatic reticuloperitonitis and sequellae

In this study, 73 cows with different types of traumatic reticuloperitonitis (TRP) and sequellae along with 25 healthy buffalo cows were used to evaluate the total blood serum protein and protein electrophoresis. According to rumenotomy or necropsy findings, the affected buffalo cows were classified into acute local TRP (AL-TRP), chronic local TRP (CL-TRP), reticular abscess (RA), acute diffuse TRP (AD-TRP), purulent pericarditis (PPC) and fibrinous pericarditis (FPC). Polyclonal gammopathy was characteristic for the electrophoretogram of buffalo cows with CL-TRP (55%), RA (61.1%) and PPC (62.5%). Various degrees of hypoalbuminaemia, hyper-alpha-globulinaemia and low A/G ratios were the associated changes in all cases of TRP and sequellae. Hyper-beta-globulinaemia was noticed in cases with CL-TRP, RA and PPC. Hyper-gamma-globulinaemia was evident in cases with AL-TRP, CL-TRP, RA and PPC. Hyperproteinaemia was noticed in buffalo cows with local complications of TRP including AL-TRP, CL-TRP and RA. Hypoproteinaemia associated with severe hypoalbuminaemia (>50% reduction compared to controls) and very low A/G ratios (<0.4) characterized buffalo cows with AD-TRP, PPC or FPC. In conclusion, the concentrations and electrophoretic patterns of serum proteins in buffaloes differ according to the anatomical location of the foreign body and the associated pathological lesions.     

Agarose gel electrophoretic fractionation of serum proteins in adult cattle. I. A study of clinically healthy cows.

Blood samples were taken from 25 clinically healthy Swedish red-and-white dairy cows on 11 occasions in the course of about one year. The blood serum proteins were studied, chiefly by agarose gel electrophoresis, in respect of relative and absolute concentrations. The following parameters were studied: Total protein, albumin, total globulin, A/G quotient, α₁-, α₂-, inter-α-β-, β₁-, β₂- and γ-globulin. The material was analysed statistically in respect of variation between and within cows, and of age, pregnancy and seasonal variation. The variation between cows was found to be significantly greater than that between different samplings of the same cow. Older cows exhibited significantly higher γ-globulin concentrations. The variation with season and stage of pregnancy was less pronounced for most serum protein fractions.     

Agarose gel electrophoretic fractionation of serum proteins in adult cattle. II. A study of cows with different diseases.

In 283 dairy cows suffering from internal disorders the serum proteins were studied by agarose gel electrophoresis supplemented by total protein and albumin determinations. The clinical diagnoses could be grouped according to protein pattern. Group 1 (abomasal displacement and traumatic muscle injury) did not appreciably affect the serum protein concentrations and represented primarily non-inflammatory diseases or diseases of non-infectious origin. Group 2 (leukosis) occupied an exceptional position, with heavy lowering of albumin unaccompanied by a corresponding rise of total globulin. The γ-globulin concentration was significantly lowered. Group 3 (acute traumatic peritonitis) represented an acute inflammatory process with increase chiefly of the α-globulins, while the γ-globulin concentration was normal. Group 4 (chronic traumatic peritonitis, summer mastitis, chronic subclinical mastitis, chronic laminitis and polyarthritis, urinary tract infection, abscess, and sub-acute-chronic pneumonia) comprised diseases chiefly of chronic inflammatory character and with infectious origin. Especially characteristic was the heavy rise of globulins in general and of γ-globulin in particular. In most cases there was a large increase also of the α- and p-globulin fractions.     

A comparison of the serum protein electrophoretic patterns of young and adult animals

Samples of serum from both young and adult normal cattle, sheep and horses were subjected to protein electrophoresis on agarose gel films. After processing, the stained electrophoretic patterns and densitometric traces of each species exhibited certain specific characteristics. The separations also revealed differences between young and adult animals of the same species. These age-related differences are described here.     

A comparison of the serum protein electrophoretic patterns of young and adult animals

Samples of serum from both young and adult normal cattle, sheep and horses were subjected to protein electrophoresis on agarose gel films. After processing, the stained electrophoretic patterns and densitometric traces of each species exhibited certain specific characteristics. The separations also revealed differences between young and adult animals of the same species. These age-related differences are described here.     

Species characteristics of serum proteins demonstrated after agarose gel electrophoresis

Serum samples from five species of domestic animals were subjected to protein electrophoresis on commercially prepared agarose gel films. After processing, the stained electrophoretic patterns and densitometric traces exhibited certain characteristics for each species. The features which were considered distinctive of each species are illustrated.     

Species characteristics of serum proteins demonstrated after agarose gel electrophoresis

Serum samples from five species of domestic animals were subjected to protein electrophoresis on commercially prepared agarose gel films. After processing, the strained electrophoretic patterns and densitometric traces exhibited certain characteristics for each species. The features which were considered distinctive of each species are illustrated.