Importance of Serum Protein Electrophoresis in Bovine Medicine (Easy Tool for Diagnosis)

Abstract

This study aimed to search for a quick and inexpensive tool, especially available for the practitioner in bovine medicine, to detect inflammation by analysing the serum protein using electrophoresis (EPP). Sera of 200 animals underwent total bilirubin (Bil.T), gamma glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (PAL) for identifying liver function. Addionally, haptoglobin (Hp) and fibrinogen (Fb) were determined as the two main acute phase protein markers of inflammation:. The study of serum proteins by electrophoresis indicated that the majority of cattle (72.5%) had high albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio, but 38 animals (19%) had essential hypo-albuminemia. In addition, 97.5% of cattle had alpha1 globulins levels below (6gr/l). Alpha2 globulins were markedly high during bronchopneumonia. Beta-globulins increased in association to liver disease. Among the hyper-gamma globulin emitted, monoclonal peaks (8 animals) and 57 animals (28%) with poly clonal peaks were distinguished. The fibrinogen concentrations did not exceed the threshold of 5 gr/l. Haptoglobin concentration was greater than 0.41 gr/l for 10 (5%) of animals. The interpretation of the EPP associated with the assay of the other parameters, allowed the confirmation of clinically apparent cases aided to discover the subclinical liver Diseases animals from the clinical cases. In conclusion, electrophoresis of serum proteins can be considered as a practical tool for diagnosis in rural medicine