Increase In Total Plasma Protein Research Articles

Seasonal variations in health indices of free-ranging asymptomatic guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) in Zambia

ObjectiveTo determine the impact of seasonal variations on health indices of free-ranging asymptomatic guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) in Zambia. MethodsA time series analysis was carried out on a prospective cohort study over a 12 month period between March 2010 and February 2011 by examining a total 147 guinea fowls for haematological and morphometric data of selected organs. ResultsThere was a strong correlation in erythrocytic indices between packed cell volume and red blood cell counts (=0.824, P<0.001) as well as between packed cell volume and hemoglobulin (Hb) counts (r=0.648, P<0.001). Seasonal differences showed that erythrocytic indices were higher in the males than the females and that the difference was significantly higher (P<0.001) during the rainy season, which coincided with the breeding period when females were laying eggs. Increase in total plasma protein was positively correlated with overall body weight. Generally, females had higher body weights and total plasma protein levels than the males in the rain season. Of the 147 birds examined, 51% (n=147) had the bursa of Fabricius. For birds that had the bursa of Fabricius, the weights of bursae were higher (P<0.05) in the cold-dry season than the other seasons and no sex differences were observed. Spleen morphometric data did not show any seasonal nor sex differences. ConclusionsOverall, data presented herein demonstrate that seasonal variations have a significant influence on health indices of free-ranging guinea fowls and that these factors could influence the susceptibility of this species of birds to disease infections at different times of the year.

Physiological response to a breed evaluation field test in Icelandic horses

This study examined the response in terms of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), haematocrit (Htc), rectal temperature (RT), and some plasma variables in Icelandic horses of different sexes and ages performing the riding assessment in a breed evaluation field test (BEFT). The study was conducted in Iceland on 266 horses (180 mares and 86 stallions, divided into four age groups; 4, 5, 6 and ⩾7 years old). RT and RR were recorded and blood samples were taken before the warm-up and after the riding assessment. Horse HR, velocity and distance were recorded during the warm-up, the riding assessment and a 5-min recovery period. The distance covered in the BEFT was 2.9±0.4 km (range: 1.8 to 3.8 km, n=248), the duration was 9:37±1:22 min:s (range: 5:07 to 15:32 min:s, n=260) and the average speed was 17.8±1.4 km/h (range: 13.2 to 21.3 km/h, n=248). Average HR was 184±13 b.p.m. (range: 138 to 210 b.p.m., n=102) and peak HR 224±9 b.p.m. (range: 195 to 238 b.p.m., n=102), and 36% of the BEFT was performed at HR ⩾200 b.p.m. Post-exercise plasma lactate concentration (Lac) was 18.0±6.5 mmol/l (range: 2.1 to 34.4 mmol/l, n=266), and there was an increase in total plasma protein, plasma creatine kinase and aspartate amino transferase concentration, as well as RR, RT and Htc. Stallions covered a longer total distance (in the warm-up and BEFT) (P<0.05), at a faster speed during BEFT (P<0.001) than mares and had higher Htc and lower HR and post-exercise Lac values. There were few effects of age, but the 4- and 5-year-old horses had lower Htc than older horses and 4-year-old horses had higher post-exercise RR than older horses, although they were ridden for a shorter distance, shorter duration and at lower peak velocity (P<0.1). The results showed that the riding assessment in the BEFT is a high-intensity exercise. The results also showed that aerobic fitness was higher in stallions and that age had a limited effect on the physiological response. It is suggested that these results should be used as a guide for the development of training programmes and fitness tests in Icelandic horses that would improve both performance and welfare of the horse.

Effect of vitamin C dietary supplementation in reducing the alterations induced by fenitrothion in Oreochromis niloticus

The objective of this study was to investigate the dietary effect of vitamin C in amelioration some of studied alterations induced by fenitrothion in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Nile tilapia was exposed to sub-lethal concentration of fenitrothion 0.04mg/l (96h LC50 value was 0.8mg/l), and basal diet was supplemented with two different dose of vitamin C (500 and 1200mg/kgB wt/day) for 30days. Vitamin C supplemented groups showed significant decrease in plasma cortisol and glucose level, enzymes activity of liver and gills (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase and superoxide dismutase) and % of tail DNA damage compared to exposed group. Moreover, fish revealed significant increase in total plasma protein, albumin, globulin and A/G ratio. High dose of vitamin C dietary supplementation (1200mg/kgB wt/day) returns these parameters to its normal levels with no significant difference compared to non exposed control group. These results indicated that incorporation of high dose of vitamin C (1200mg) in aqua feed for 30days could be potentially less expensive and effective in reducing the alterations induced by fenitrothion in Nile tilapia.

Complete blood count, total plasma protein, neutrophil oxidative metabolism, and lipid peroxidation in female dogs with pyometra associated with Escherichia coli

Pyometra is a common uterine disease found in adult female dogs during diestrus and it typically presents with several systemic abnormalities. The aim of this study was to evaluate complete blood counts (CBC), neutrophil oxidative metabolism, and lipid peroxidation in female dogs diagnosed with pyometra associated with Escherichia coli (E. coli). Twenty adult female dogs, from 2 to 14 years old, were allocated into two different groups. Animals placed in group 1 (G1) (n = 12) were diagnosed with pyometra associated with E. coli and animals placed in group 2 (G2) (n = 8) were clinically healthy female dogs. Red blood cell (RBC) count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin were significantly lower in G1 than in G2. A significant increase in total plasma protein and white blood cell count (segmented neutrophils, band neutrophils, and monocytes) occurred in G1 when compared to G2. The neutrophil oxidative metabolism was also increased in G1, but lipid peroxidation showed no difference between the two groups. CBC results revealed a normocytic, normochromic anemia and leukocytosis characterized by a neutrophilia with a left shift in adult female dogs with pyometra associated with E. coli. Additionally, neutrophil oxidative metabolism showed an increase in its activity without producing lipid peroxidation, which possibly indicates that the anemia in canine pyometra is not related to oxidative stress.

Patterns of lipid storage and mobilisation in the female green sea turtle ( Chelonia mydas).

Reproductive data from southern Queensland indicate that vitellogenesis in female Chelonia mydas takes approximately 8 months and is followed by a migration to a breeding area. At Heron Island, females lay multiple clutches over approximately 3 months. To investigate how females mobilise and store lipid during the breeding season we collected plasma, yolk, and fat tissue samples from females at a variety of stages during the nesting season. In breeding females, concentrations of plasma triglyceride increased seasonally. They reached peak concentrations during vitellogenesis and courtship, remained high throughout the nesting season, and then declined to a nadir after the last clutch. Plasma protein concentration increased throughout the breeding season, peaking following the last clutch for the season. Yolk lipids were highest during courtship and were similar throughout the nesting season, suggesting that uptake of lipid by ovarian follicles is completed prior to the beginning of the nesting season. Plasma triglyceride decreases in females with prolonged periods of unsuccessful nesting, and total lipid levels in adipose tissue and follicle yolks were significantly lower in atretic females. It appears that: (1) endogenous energy reserves can be reduced by stochastic environmental events (such as those reducing nesting success), and (2) a metabolic shift signalling the end of the nesting season is characterised by a drop in plasma triglycerides and slight increase in total plasma protein.

Further studies on plasma proteins, lipids, and dye- and drug-binding in a child with analbuminemia.

A previously reported patient with analbuminemia was re-investigated after 4 1/2 years, at age 6. The serum albumin concentration was 150 mg/L by radioimmunoassay. Most of the observed increase in total plasma protein over the 4 1/2 years was attributable to gamma-globulin. Concentrations of total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were increased; the esterified:free ratio and the lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase activity were both normal. Albumin is apparently not essential for binding of lysolecithin generated by the acyltransferase-catalyzed reaction. The binding of bromphenol blue suggested that analbuminemic serum has about 25% of normal binding capacity for bilirubin (more than expected in a patient with analbuminemia), which may explain why newborns with this disorder do not develop kernicterus. Binding by the patient's plasma of diazepam (1020 mg/L) and warfarin (1040 mg/L), which bind primarily to albumin, as well as of propranolol (1.05 g/L), which binds primarily to alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, was also studied. The proportions of free diazepam (14.4%) and warfarin (4.8%) were about 10-fold normal. In contrast, the proportion of propranolol in the free form was decreased (4.5%). Evidently, other plasma proteins are partly compensating for the deficiency of albumin.

Acute and chronic pancreatitis in the rat caused by a closed duodenal loop.

A closed duodenal loop was created by the obstruction of the duodenum on either side of the common bile duct. Acute haemorrhagic pancreatitis developed within 24 h with interlobular oedema, marked acinar cell necrosis, intra-abdominal fat necrosis and ascites. Plasma amylase activity was greatly increased together with a marked decrease in albumin. There was a temporary abnormality of liver function tests due to obstruction of bile. When the duodenal obstruction was released and the animals allowed to survive there was at 3 weeks a marked reduction in the pancreatic acinar cells with fibrosis and areas of necrosis and chronic inflammatory cell infiltration. Plasma amylase activity was normal but there was an increase in total plasma protein at 3 weeks. This technique of a closed duodenal loop in the rat gives a simple, reliable and economic experimental model for studies on acute and chronic fibrotic pancreatitis.

Effect of TSH and long-acting thyroid stimulator on thyroid 131I-metabolism and metamorphosis of the Mexican axolotl ( Ambystoma mexicanum)

Metamorphosis in the Mexican axolotl was induced by daily injection of purified ovine TSH, but not by injection of large doses of iodide. Thyroxine was effective in inducing metamorphosis when injected in a dose as low as 0.5 μg per 100 g per day, suggesting that axolotl tissue is normally sensitive to thyroid hormone. It is unlikely, therefore, that neoteny in this species is attributable to tissue resistance to the action of thyroid hormone. Thyroid 131I uptakes in axolotls were of the order of 1–2% after 48 hr, and 131T-T 4 comprised only 2–4% of the total. 131I-T 4 was not detected in the circulation. After chronic administration of TSH, thyroid 131I uptakes rose greatly, 131I-T 4 comprised 15–18% of glandular 131I, and 131I-T 4 was readily detectable in the circulation. In all these respects 131I metabolism in the axolotl resembled that seen previously in hypophysectomized rats. These results support the view that failure of metamorphosis in Ambystoma mexicanum is related to a very low rate of TSH secretion by the pituitary. Chronic injection of long-acting thyroid stimulator induced none of the changes associated with metamorphosis in Mexican axolotls and bad no effect on thyroid 131I metabolism. Plasma protein patterns in larval and metamorphosed axolotls and in tiger salamanders were determined by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate. In all cases the fastest-migrating component displayed a mobility considerably less than that of frog plasma albumin. An increase in total plasma protein was observed after metamorphosis in axolotls, but not in tiger salamanders. A shift toward an increase in the proportion of the fast-moving component was more apparent in the tiger salamander.