Total serum protein, serum protein fractions and serum immunoglobulins in colostrum-fed and colostrum-deprived calves.

Total serum protein levels, serum protein fraction levels, and specific serum immunoglobulin class or subclass levels were measured in colostrum-fed (CF) and colostrum-deprived (CD) calves during the first 144 hours after birth. Total serum protein values increased at 24 hours in the CF group and then decreased slightly at 144 hours. The increase in total serum protei5) in beta1-, beta2-, and gamma-globulins. The beta2- and gamma-globulin levels decreased by 144 hours, while the serum level of beta1-globulin continued to increase. The CD calves exhibited a significant decrease (P less than 0.05) in total serum protein at 24 hours, folhours, the level of beta1-globulin inlowed by a significant increase (P less than 0.05) at 144 hours. At 24 hours, the level of beta1-globulin decreased slightly, and the level of beta2- and gamma-globulins increased slightly. At 144 creased, and the level of gamma-globulin decreased. The beta2-globulin level did not change. At birth, immunoglobulin (Ig) M was detected in 5 of the 10 calves, IgG1 in 6 of the 10 calves, and IgG2 in 3 of the 10 calves. By 24 hours after birth, all CF calves had detectable levels of IgM, IgG1, and IgG2, and there were significant increases (P less than 0.01) in the mean serum levels of all 3 immunoglobulins. By 144 hours after birth, the serum levels of IgM, IgG1, and IgG2 decreased to various degrees. At 24 hours, the IgM level had not increased in CD calves; however, the level of IgG2 appeared to increase slightly, and the mean IgG1 level increased by approximately 50%. By 144 hours after birth, there was a significant increase (P less than 0.01) in the mean level of serum IgM. The level of IgG, also appeared to increase substantially, while the level of IgG2 appeared to increase slightly.     

C6-deficiency in rabbit serum and its restoration by normal rabbit serum or by normal bovine serum

The sera from 12 out of 29 half-sibs of the New Zealand White breed of rabbit were inactive, when used as complement, in blood-typing tests of bovine erythrocytes. This defect was found to be due to a deficiency in the activity of the component C6. A dilution of 1:380 of pooled normal rabbit sera and a dilution of 1:520 of pooled normal bovine sera were capable of restoring, to 63%, the haemolytic capacity of the defective rabbit sera. The rate of haemolysis varied from 4% to 100% when the defective sera were restored by sera from different sets of monozygous bovine twins.     

Alcaligenes faecalis infection in turkeys: effects on serum corticosterone and serum chemistry

The serum levels of corticosterone, total calcium, inorganic phosphorus, protein, sodium, and potassium were determined for turkey poults from 1 to 42 days of age. Corticosterone levels were higher at days 10, 14, 21, and 28 in Alcaligenes faecalis-infected turkeys than in uninfected poults. The corticosterone responses in this study indicate that A. faecalis infection stimulates adrenal cortical function even in the very young poult, which ordinarily does not show adrenal cortical responsiveness to various environmental and physical stressors. No differences were observed between infected and uninfected turkey poults in other serum chemistries.     

Relationships between serum serotonin and serum lipid levels, and aggression in horses

Levels of serum serotonin and serum lipids--triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and very low-density lipoprotein, were determined in normal horses and horses diagnosed with aggression on the basis of a questionnaire survey. Blood serotonin levels in aggressive horses were found to be significantly lower than in non-aggressive horses (P < 0.01), but no association was found with respect to blood lipids.     

Prediction of serum ionized calcium concentration by serum total calcium measurement in cats

Feline serum samples (n = 434) were classified as hypercalcemic, normocalcemic, or hypocalcemic based on both total calcium (tCa) and ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive diagnostic likelihood ratio (PDLR), and negative diagnostic likelihood ratio (NDLR) were calculated for prediction of hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia in all samples, in hypoalbuminemic cats, and in those with chronic renal failure (CRF) as compared with cats that had other conditions. Diagnostic discordance in prediction of iCa using tCa was 40%. Sensitivity of tCa in prediction of ionized hypercalcemia was low and specificity was high. The PDLR for prediction of ionized hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia was low in all cats, especially in those with CRF. Due to the high level of diagnostic discordance, tCa should not be used to predict iCa concentration. Concentration of iCa should be measured directly when accurate assessment of calcium status is needed.     

Superovulation in the cow with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin: effects of dose and antipregnant mare serum gonadotrophin serum.

The effects of pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) dose and PMSG antiserum on superovulation in crossbred beef cows were studied. In experiment I, three groups were treated with 1200, 2400 or 3600 IU of PMSG and 48 h later with prostaglandin (PGF). The mean numbers of corpora lutea (CL), unovulated follicles, and total ova/embryos collected increased as the PMSG dose increased. The percent of fertilized ova and transferable embryos was lowest in the highest dose group (p < 0.05). In experiment II, all cows received 2500 IU of PMSG; groups 1 and 2 were treated with sheep anti-PMSG serum at 48 h or 60 h after PGF; group 3 cows were PMSG-only controls. The number of CL was lowest and the number of unovulated follicles highest in the PMSG-only group (p < 0.05). The number of CL was higher in group 2 (anti-PMSG at 60 h) than in the control group, with the anti-PMSG at 48 h not different from the other groups. Numbers of total ova/embryos, fertilized ova, and transferable embryos were higher (p < 0.05) in both antiserum-treated groups relative to the PMSG-only group. We conclude that superovulation of beef cows with PMSG and treatment with PMSG antiserum will induce a higher superovulatory response and will result in higher CL numbers and fewer unovulated follicles. Further, the variability in the superovulatory response to PMSG treatment was still evident when PMSG antiserum was administered.     

Goat serum, a substitute of bovine serum in cultivation of Babesia bovis.

Babesia bovis (a Mexican isolate) was cultivated in MASP culture system using goat serum in various concentrations as substitute of bovine serum. It was observed that 20% goat serum + 20% bovine serum + 60% Parker's medium 199 supported the growth of the parasite, which was maintained in this medium through 8 subcultures. The soluble exoantigen (vaccine) present in the culture supernatant is to be quantified and tested in vitro. Goat serum from slaughterhouses may be utilized for in vitro cultivation of the parasite and, expectedly, production of vaccine. This study may prove to be useful in reducing the cost of vaccine at least in tropical countries.     

Determination of albumin in caprine serum

Dye-binding techniques using bromocresol green (BCG) and bromocresol purple (BCP) were compared with cellulose acetate electrophoresis for the determination of caprine serum albumin. When a caprine standard was used the electrophoretic values showed little difference from those obtained with BCG. However, when a bovine standard or BCP were used, there were differences. Bias was detected between the values determined with bovine and caprine albumin standards owing to the different absorbances of the dye-protein mixtures. Using BCG, a closer correlation was obtained between the electrophoretic and caprine standard values than between the electrophoretic and bovine standard values, but with BCP the reverse was true although these differences were not significant. BCP was considered a less suitable dye than BCG for routine analysis because of low absorbance changes and the resulting poor precision.     

Dexamethasone-induced serum biochemical changes in goats

Dexamethasone was administered at sequential dosages of 0.1 mg/kg/day for 3 days and 1 mg/kg/day for 3 days to 6 adult female goats. The greatest effects induced were hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, and hyperglycemia. At low dosages of dexamethasone, transient increases (P less than 0.05) developed in serum sodium and chloride concentrations. An effect on hepatic physiology or iron metabolism was not observed.     

Relationships among intramuscular collagen, serum hydroxyproline and serum testosterone in growing rams and wethers

Concentration and maturation of collagen and serum concentrations of hydroxyproline and testosterone were determined in growing rams and wethers to characterize developmental changes in collagen associated with a representative testicular steroid. Groups of eight rams and eight wethers were slaughtered at 12, 18, 24 and 30 wk of age. Concentrations of collagen in longissimus, supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and serum hydroxyproline were greater (P less than .05) in rams than in wethers at all ages. Collagen stability, as measured by collagen solubility and thermal shrinkage temperature, was greater (P less than .05) in wethers than in rams. Differences in collagen stability and serum hydroxyproline concentration indicated that collagen synthesis and turnover were more rapid in rams than in wethers. Serum hydroxyproline decreased (P less than .05) and collagen solubility decreased (P less than .05) with age, indicating that collagen turnover was occurring most rapidly in 12-wk-old lambs and that collagen maturation was predominant in 24- to 30-wk old lambs. Testosterone parameters measured in rams were unrelated within groups to collagen characteristics, possibly reflecting the high variability in testosterone secretion and the slow development of collagen. However, rams as young as 12 wk of age were under the influence of testosterone, and differences in collagen between rams and wethers were apparent at that time.     

Prediction of serum ionized calcium concentration by use of serum total calcium concentration in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether total serum calcium (tCa) or adjusted tCa concentrations accurately predict ionized calcium (iCa) status in dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION: 1,633 canine serum samples. PROCEDURE: The tCa concentration was adjusted for total protein (TP) or albumin concentration by use of published equations. Correlations between iCa and tCa or adjusted tCa, tCa and TP, and tCa and albumin were calculated. Diagnostic discordance between tCa or adjusted tCa and iCa was determined. Diagnostic discordance in predicting iCa was also determined for 490 dogs with chronic renal failure (CRF). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative diagnostic likelihood ratios were calculated for tCa, tCa adjusted forTP, and tCa adjusted for albumin. RESULTS: Diagnostic discordance was 27% when tCa concentration was used to predict iCa status. Use of adjusted tCa increased diagnostic discordance to approximately 37% for all dogs and 55% for dogs with CRF. Positive predictive value and positive diagnostic likelihood ratios were poor when tCa concentration was used to predict iCa status. The tCa concentration overestimated normocalcemia and underestimated hypocalcemia. Adjusted tCa overestimated hypercalcemia and underestimated hypocalcemia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Adjusted tCa or tCa concentrations are unacceptable for predicting iCa status in dogs. Use of adjustment equations is not recommended. Direct measurement of iCa concentration is necessary for accurate assessment of calcium status. Use of tCa or adjusted tCa concentrations to predict iCa status in dogs could cause serious mistakes in diagnosis and case management, especially in dogs with CRF.