The effect of chronic respiratory diseases in calves on the serum protein electrophoretic pattern

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic respiratory diseases in calves on the serum protein electrophoretic pattern. Twenty five calves of the Slovak Spotted breed, Lowland Black Spotted breed, and their crossbreeds with clinical symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases were included into this study. Blood serum was analyzed for the total serum protein concentrations, and the relative and absolute values of serum protein fractions. The results obtained in sick animals were compared with those in 29 clinically healthy calves of the same age and breed. In the calves suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, we found significantly (P < 0.001) higher total serum protein concentrations than in healthy calves. In sick calves a marked shift in the concentrations of the most of protein fractions was observed, with significantly higher values of α1-, β1-, β2- and γ-globulins (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, P < 0.001, and P < 0.01, respectively). On the other hand, the concentrations of albumin in the calves with respiratory diseases were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than those measured in healthy ones. The presented results indicate a marked effect of chronic respiratory diseases in calves on the serum protein electrophoretic pattern, with a shift in the albumin and globulin concentrations, which could be useful for clinicians for better evaluation of the pathological changes in affected animals.