Factors Influencing Serum Amyloid Type A (Saa) Concentrations in Horses

Abstract

The acute phase response (APR) is the reaction that occurs in animals in response to disturbances in hemostasis follow-ing tissue damage. In horses, the APR is manifested in a variety of pathological processes of various origins, such as infections caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, arthritis, burns, chemicals, trauma surgery and stress. Acute phase pro-teins (APPs) are considered those proteins that modify its plasma concentration at least 25% in inflammatory and infec-tious processes. In adult horses, various respiratory inflammatory processes, gastrointestinal tract, reproductive organs and musculoskeletal system are accompanied by increased levels of a specific APP, so-called serum amyloid type A (SAA). SAA is the most important major APP in the horse. This paper provides a review of physiological factors af-fecting SAA levels and their role in horses in defense of natural mechanisms, the pathways involved and their material components.