Determination of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy beagle dogs of various ages and pregnant beagle dogs

Abstract

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in healthy beagle dogs of various ages and in pregnant beagles were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum CRP concentrations were 1. 5-16.0 μg/ml (mean 7.9 ± 3.4 μg/ml) in male, and 1.8-18.9 μg/ml (mean 8.3 ± 4.0 μg/ml) in female dogs. No significant sex-related differences were observed in the values. Further, there were no significant age-related differences either. Serum CRP concentrations increased during pregnancy. The concentration of serum CRP in pregnant dogs peaked at 70.2-90.4 μg/ml (mean 77.5 ± 7.1 μg/ml) 30 or 45 days after ovulation, demonstrating two characteristic features of CRP concentration change in pregnant dogs. Copyright © 2003 Japanese Association for Laboratory Animal Science.