Serum proteins in undernourished sinclair (S-1) miniature swine

Abstract

Sinclair(S-1) miniature swine were fed ad libitum either a 16% (control) or a 4% (undernourished) protein diet from 9 weeks of age until sacrificed. Two males and 2 females, from each dietary group, were sacrificed after 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 or 32 weeks on test. Also, 2 males and 2 females were sacrificed at the initiation of the experiment. Serum total protein, albumin, α-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin, glutamic-oxaloacetic (OT) transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were assayed from blood samples collected biweekly. For the undernourished pigs, mean serum total protein and albumin concentrations decreased initially; however, levels stabilized later in the study. Mean serum total protein and albumin concentrations were lower for the undernourished pigs than for the controls from 2 through 32 weeks. From 4 through 32 weeks on test, the undernourished pigs had more serum total globulin, as a per cent of total protein, than did the control pigs. Mean serum β-globulin concentration was lower for the pigs fed the low protein diet than for the controls; however, there was no difference in mean per cent β-globulin between the 2 groups. From 8 through 32 weeks on test, mean OT and LDH activities were greater for undernourished than for the control pigs; however, there were no differences in mean serum AP activities between the 2 groups.