Determination of the serum concentration of acute phase proteins in horses by spectrophotometric techniques

Abstract

Acute phase proteins (APPs) may be an alternative for the prognosis, monitoring and diagnosis of diseases. Studies involving APPs in horses with easy access and low cost methodologies are important for use in the hospital context. The objective of this study was to determine the serum concentration of the haptoglobin (Hp) and ceruloplasmin (Cp) proteins by spectrophotometric technique, to compare the genera and to evaluate the association between these proteins and fibrinogen (Fib) in Brazilian Sport Horse. The intentional non-probabilistic study delineated two groups: G1 = 11 females and G2 = 9 males. Hematological exams of the mean cell volume, total leukocytes, total proteins and fibrinogen and clinical examination were performed to verify the health of the animals. As a general result (G1 + G2) the mean values of Hp and Cp were 0.29 ± 0.12 g / L and 20.1 ± 8.6 IU / L, respectively. Both females and males presented similar concentrations for both APPs. The concentration of Hp in G1 was 0.30 ± 0.11 g / L and in G2 0.26 ± 0.13 g / L. The values of the concentrations of Cp in G1 were 19.8 ± 10.6 IU / L and in G2 of 20.48 ± 5.9 IU / L. Hp showed a moderate significant correlation with Fib (P = 0.046). The study of the detection of Hp and Cp proteins does not show the influence of sex, and shows an association between Hp and Fib. It also highlights the importance of the use of spectrophotometric techniques for the detection of APP.