Changes in the serum protein electrophoretic pattern in lambs during the first month of life

Abstract

Studies of the changes in serum protein pattern in the neonatal period in animals are still limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the concentrations of serum protein fractions in 7 clinically healthy merino lambs (4 males, 3 females) during their first month of life. The first blood sampling was performed before the colostrum intake and then at 1, 2, 7, 14 and 30 days of age. Blood serum was analysed for total serum protein concentrations and for the relative and absolute values of serum protein fractions - albumin, alpha1- (α1), alpha2- (α2), beta- (β), and gamma- (γ) globulins. The results showed a significant effect of age on the serum total protein concentrations and for all the protein fractions. The concentrations of total proteins and γ-globulins increased significantly 1 day after the colostrum intake (P< 0.001); then decreased gradually till the end of the 1st month. An opposite trend was observed in the concentrations of albumin. A significant decrease of values was found 1 day after the intake of colostrum (P< 0.001) with a subsequent progressive increase of values till the end of the evaluated period. The relative concentrations of α1-globulins significantly decreased during the first month of life (P< 0.001). On the other hand, the relative values of α2- and β-globulins increased significantly from birth till the end of the monitored period (P< 0.001). Our results suggest that the serum protein electrophoretic pattern in growing lambs is significantly influenced by the age of the evaluated animal, and this should be taken into consideration when interpreting the serum protein profile. Our findings extend existing knowledge about significant changes in the protein profile associated with the physiological adaptation process in the neonatal period in young animals.