Changes in Serum and Plasma Proteins and in IgG and IgM Antibodies in Calves Experimentally Infected with Sarcocystis from Dogs

Abstract

Fifteen calves were used in three experiments to determine changes in serum and plasma proteins and IgG and IgM levels after oral inoculation with Sarcocystis sporocysts from dogs. Total serum or plasma protein levels in inoculated calves decreased during the acute phase of infection (4 to 5 weeks after inoculation) and then increased and became greater than the levels of control calves 7 to 8 weeks after inoculation. The initial decrease in total protein reflected reduced serum albumin and the subsequent increase reflected increased immunoglobulin levels. Immunoglobulin levels increased in both IgM and IgG fractions. Specific antibody activity against Sarcocystis antigen was 6 to 9 times greater in the IgM than in the IgC fraction 5 weeks after inoculation, but IgG activity became approximately 17 to 27 times greater than IgM activity 10 to 13 weeks after inoculation.