Mean Serum Total Protein Research Articles

Gallbladder wall thickening in mononucleosis syndromes.

We used sonography to measure gallbladder wall thickness in patients with mononucleosis syndromes and then evaluated laboratory data, spleen size, and clinical evolution to assess any relationship between gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) and the severity of disease. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, sonograms, and sonographic reports of 39 patients who were diagnosed with mononucleosis syndromes on the basis of fever, tonsillopharyngitis, cervical adenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and lymphocytosis with atypical lymphocytes. All 39 were included in the study. The gallbladder wall thickness in each patient was sonographically determined. GBWT was defined as a wall thickness exceeding 3 mm. We assessed the laboratory data and clinical evolution in each patient, and the differences between patients with and without GBWT were statistically analyzed. Six patients (15%) had GBWT. The mean atypical lymphocyte count +/- standard deviation (SD) in the patients with GBWT (1,830/microl +/- 1,000/microl) was significantly higher than that in patients without GBWT (1,140/microl +/- 660/microl; p < 0.05). The mean total serum protein and serum albumin levels in the patients with GBWT (6.6 mg/dl +/- 0.7 mg/dl and 3.7 mg/dl +/- 0.5 mg/dl, respectively) were significantly lower than those in patients without GBWT (7.3 mg/dl +/- 0.4 mg/dl and 4.1 mg/dl +/- 0.3 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.05). The duration of hospitalization in the patients with GBWT (14 +/- 8.5 days) was significantly higher than that in patients without GBWT (8 +/- 3.5 days; p < 0.05). GBWT in mononucleosis syndromes may be a sign of the severity of the illness and when present indicates the need to carefully monitor the clinical course.

Effect of cyclosporine therapy on idiopathic membranous nephropathy presented with refractory nephrotic syndrome

Background. Recent studies suggested the possible benefits of cyclosporine (CsA) therapy in patients with membranous nephropathy, although most of these studies were short-term. An uncontrolled retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term effect of CsA therapy on idiopathic membranous nephropathy presented with refractory nephrotic syndrome. Methods. The subjects were eight patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy presenting with refractory nephrotic syndrome. All patients had received a course of corticosteroid therapy before CsA therapy, and had not responded to the corticosteroid, including one or two administrations of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. The CsA doses were adjusted to maintain trough blood level at 100 ng/ml during the first 3 months and then reduced to maintain the level at 50 ng/ml in patients who had responded to partial remission. Results. CsA therapy induced a marked decrease in proteinuria from the first month, and a significant decrease from month 3 and thereafter. The mean serum total protein and albumin levels rose, and total cholesterol fell significantly with CsA therapy. The serum creatinine level was unchanged during CsA therapy. Three patients showed complete remission and two were in partial remission, while three were nephrotic at 12 months of CsA therapy. From 18 to 24 months of CsA therapy, three patients were in complete remission, four were in partial remission, and one patient was nephrotic. There were no side effects of CsA, except for gum hyperplasia and hypertrichosis in one patient. Conclusion. These results suggest that long-term CsA therapy at a low or moderate dose is potentially effective and safe in most nephrotic patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy refractory to corticosteroid therapy.

Fluid balance and colloid osmotic pressure in acute respiratory failure: emerging clinical evidence.

Available evidence suggests that both hydrostatic and osmotic forces are important in the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or, more broadly, acute lung injury (ALI). More than 80% of ARDS patients in a large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) exhibited, at least intermittently, pulmonary artery wedge pressures (PAWP) above 18 mmHg. Retrospective analyses have shown that PAWP elevation is associated with increased mortality. Reduction in serum total protein (STP) has been shown, in a recent retrospective analysis of data from a sepsis patient population with a high frequency of ARDS, to be highly predictive of positive fluid balance, weight gain, development of ARDS, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and mortality. These findings suggest that therapy with diuretics and colloids might be of benefit in the prevention or treatment of ALI. A prospective RCT was designed and conducted to evaluate combination therapy with furosemide and albumin over a 5-day period in 37 ALI patients. Both mean serum albumin and mean STP increased promptly and substantially in furosemide + albumin recipients. The furosemide + albumin group also achieved a mean weight loss of 10 kg by the end of the treatment phase, and their weight loss exceeded that of placebo patients throughout. Hemodynamics improved in the treatment group during the 5-day protocol. Oxygenation, as assessed by the ratio between the fraction of inspired oxygen and the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2/FiO2), was significantly higher within 24 h after commencement of treatment in the furosemide + albumin than the placebo group. No clinically important adverse effects of furosemide + albumin therapy were encountered. These results provide evidence that combined therapy with furosemide and albumin is effective in augmenting serum albumin and STP levels, promoting weight loss, and improving oxygenation and longer-term hemodynamic stability. Although mortality did not differ between groups, the RCT showed a trend toward reduced duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay in the intensive care unit in patients receiving furosemide + albumin. The findings of the RCT further highlight the importance of both hydrostatic and osmotic forces in hypoxemic respiratory failure, a subject that requires further investigation.

Serum protein levels and neonatal growth rate of Nubian goat kids in Taiwan area

Levels of serum total protein and γ-globulin were determined in 43 newborn goat kids of up to 5 days of age on two goat farms in Taiwan using colorimetric assay and an agarose gel electrophoresis kit, respectively. The kids were sufficiently bottle-fed with the maternal colostrum every 6 h for the first day and every 12 h since 2 days. The overall mean serum total protein and γ-globulin concentrations were low at birth (9.40 and 0.13 g dl −1), peaked around 24 h (12.45 and 3.33 g dl −1) and remained at a plateau with slight decrease through 5 days (11.50 and 2.23 g dl −1). The mean serum total protein and γ-globulin levels at birth and at 24 h of age as well as BW gains during the first 5 days were not significantly ( p>0.05) affected by litter size, kid sex, birth weight and farms. Kids which had ingested colostrum with total protein content >10.51 g dl −1 at 6 h grew better ( p<0.05) without different ( p>0.05) serum total protein level up to 24 h of age. Kids ingested first colostrum of γ-globulin content higher than >7.51 g dl −1 had higher ( p<0.05) concentration of serum γ-globulin during the first 24 h of life but did not have better growth rate. The contents of total protein and γ-globulin of the first colostrum were highly correlated ( p<0.05) with those of the serum of neonatal kids except that there was a lag time of 12 h for the correlation of total protein. It is suggested that there are colostral proteins other than γ-globulin that have trophic effects to improve the overall performance of kids, and they apparently are absorbed and turnover differently from those of γ-globulin.

Clinicopathologic features of dogs with hepatic microvascular dysplasia with and without portosystemic shunts: 42 cases (1991–1996)

Objective To identify and compare clinicopathologic features between dogs with hepatic microvascular dysplasia (HMD) and confirmed portosystemic shunts (PSS) and dogs with HMD alone and to determine whether any discriminating variables can be identified to differentiate the conditions. Design Retrospective study. Animals 42 dogs with HMD. Procedure Medical records of dogs with HMD examined between January 1991 and October 1996 at 3 veterinary hospitals were reviewed. Results Compared with dogs with PSS and HMD, dogs with HMD alone were older and had higher values for mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, cholesterol, BUN, and blood glucose concentrations. Compared with dogs with HMD alone, dogs with PSS and HMD had higher values for pre- and postprandial serum bile acid concentrations, WBC, and serum alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. The most discriminating variables for the 2 conditions were serum postprandial bile acid concentrations, MCV, and serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations. Clinical Implications The discriminant variables of postprandial serum bile acid concentrations, MCV, and serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations may be useful in distinguishing between dogs with HMD alone and dogs with PSS and HMD. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1999;214:218–220)

Failure of passive transfer in foals: incidence and outcome on four studs in New South Wales.

To determine the regional incidence and effectiveness of treatment of failure of passive transfer (FPT) in foals. A study of disease incidence. Eighty-eight foals and 57 mares from four studs in the practice area of the Rural Veterinary Centre were tested. Foals were tested for their serum IgG and total serum protein (TSP) concentration within the first 72 hours of life. Colostrum was collected from mares and specific gravity determined. FPT and partial failure of passive transfer (PFPT) of immunoglobulins was diagnosed when serum IgG concentrations were < 4 g/L and 4 to 8 g/L respectively. Owners of foals diagnosed with FPT were offered treatment with 1 to 2 L plasma (TSP > 70 g/L); 9 (64%) of the affected foals were treated. Fourteen foals (16%) had FPT whereas 15 (17%) had PFPT. There were significant differences between the mean TSP concentration in foals with FPT (42.6 +/- 4.2 g/L), PFPT (48.1 +/- 3.9 g/L) and those acquiring adequate passive immunity (58.9 +/- 5.5 g/l) (p < 0.01). Sixteen (29%) mares had pre-suck colostral specific gravity < 1.060 and 12 (71%) foals raised by these mares had FPT or PFPT. The incidence of severe disease (categorised by a sepsis score > 11, positive culture of bacteria from blood or disease requiring hospitalisation) in all foals in the first 2 months of life was 10%. However, none of the nine foals with FPT that received plasma experienced severe disease. In contrast, foals with PFPT had an increased susceptibility to severe disease (p < 0.001) when compared with normal foals. Treatment of foals with FPT may reduce the subsequent incidence of severe disease. Pre-suck colostral specific gravity and foal TSP may be used to predict the likelihood of FPT and PFPT. Even though the number of foals studied is small the results highlight the importance of optimal management practices in reducing the incidence of FPT and disease associated with this process.

Hematologic and serum biochemical reference intervals for Florida panthers.

Ninety-four blood samples were collected from 48 (29 males and 19 females) free-ranging Florida panthers (Felis concolor coryi) captured in southern Florida (USA) from 1983 to 1994 for routine hematological and serum biochemical analysis. Florida panthers in the northern portion of their range had significantly higher red blood cell (mean +/- SD = 7.923 x 10(6) +/- 0.854 x 10(6)/microliter), hemoglobin (12.53 +/- 1.66 g/dl), and packed cell volume (36.97 +/- 4.27%) values compared to those of panthers localized in more southern parts of Florida (7.148 x 10(6) +/- 1.045 x 10(6)/microliter, 11.60 +/- 1.62 g/dl, and 34.82 +/- 5.99%, respectively). Adults had significantly higher mean serum total protein (7.50 +/- 0.59 g/dl) and packed cell volume (36.90 +/- 4.97%) values than juveniles (6.88 +/- 0.49 g/dl and 34.54 +/- 5.30%). However, mean serum albumin concentrations were significantly higher in juveniles (3.80 +/- 0.26 g/dl) when compared to adult values (3.58 +/- 0.26 g/dl). Mean serum calcium concentrations were significantly higher in juveniles (10.33 +/- 0.39 mg/dl) than in adults (9.66 +/- 0.45 mg/dl). Additionally, mean serum iron concentrations were significantly higher in those panthers of intergrade genetic stock compared to values in those of authentic genetic stock (105.6 +/- 72.1 micrograms/dl versus 59.3 +/- 19.7 micrograms/dl, respectively).

Prison deprivation and protein nutritional status of inmates of a developing community prison

OBJECTIVE This study assesses the protein nutritional status of inmates of a small prison, in the light of a changing serum protein pattern in the environment. DESIGN Survey of prison inmates. SETTING A male prison and low social class hospital workers. SUBJECTS 81 inmates and 62 randomly selected controls, of which 42 of the former and 28 of the latter were further randomly selected. METHODS Nutritional and confinement history were obtained by a questionnaire, Weights and heights were measured and serum and urine samples collected for protein estimations. RESULTS The prisoners were confined for 229.1 (SD 210.1) days. 48.1% had BMI < 20 kg/m2 compared to 28.6% of controls (p = 0.04). Their diet was predominantly carbohydrate. Mean total serum protein was 81.5gm/L (6.1) (95% CI = 79.3-83.5) (prisoners); 88.7 gm/L (8.1) (95% CI = 85.7-91.7) (controls). Serum globulin was 44.9 gm/L (6.3) (95% CI = 42.9-46.9) (prisoners); 55.4 gm/L (8.2) (95% CI = 52.3-58.5) (controls) (p <0.001 respectively). More prisoners than controls had severe hypo- albuminaemia (p =0.001). All values were lower in those awaiting trial compared to convicted inmates. Total protein and albumin weakly correlated with duration of confinement (r = -0.23 and -0.15, respectively). CONCLUSION The study suggest that the prisoners might be undernourished with lower serum proteins than controls, within an average of seven months confinement. The picture appears worse in those awaiting trial and with prolonged duration of confinement.

Effect of a Whey Protein Concentrate Used as a Colostrum Substitute or Supplement on Calf Immunity, Weight Gain, and Health

The efficacy of a whey protein concentrate was evaluated as a colostrum substitute or supplement in two experiments using four groups of 29 calves. In Experiment 1, calves were fed either 2L of pooled colostrum (group 1) or 500g of whey protein concentrate (group 2). A mean total of 123.6 and 17.7g of Ig was fed to calves in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean serum IgG, total protein, and globulin concentrations and Ig antibody activities to Escherichia coli K99 and rotavirus were significantly higher for calves in group 1 at 24 to 36h and at 3 wk of age. Weight gain from birth to 3 wk of age was significantly lower for calves in group 2. The incidence of diarrhea was high but not different between treatments. The mortality rate (0 to 3 wk) was significantly higher for calves in group 2 (27.6%) than for calves in group 1 (3.4%). In Experiment 2, calves were fed either 2L of pooled colostrum (group 3) or a solution of 1L of pooled colostrum plus 500g of whey protein concentrate (group 4). A mean total of 117.2 and 69.1g of Ig was fed to calves in groups 3 and 4, respectively. Absorption rate of IgG was significantly lower for calves in group 4.Mean serum IgG, total protein, and globulin concentrations and Ig antibody activities to E. coli K99 and rotavirus were significantly higher for calves in group 3 at 24 to 36h and at 3 wk of age. Mortality rate, BW gain, and incidence of diarrhea did not differ significantly between groups.

Hematological and serum biochemical values in pregnant and postpartum females of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).

The hematological and serum biochemical values of a total of 18 pregnant female squirrel monkeys were determined during the pre- and postpartum period. Pregnancy was determined by abdominal palpation in adult females cohabiting with robust males. The mean body weight of the pregnant females gradually increased toward parturition and dramatically decreased at parturition due to delivery of the infant monkey. The red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels diminished toward parturition and then increased to their normal levels by week 6 after delivery. The Wintrobe constant, MCHC, did not fluctuate, but MCH and MCV values increased in late pregnancy and the early nursing periods. The mean white blood cell count varied between 65.8 and 87.3 (x 10(2)/mm3) during the experimental periods. The mean serum total cholesterol concentration and glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase activity were lower in the pregnant group during the mid- and late gestation stage than in nonpregnant and nursing females. The mean serum total protein and albumin values were lower in pregnant females than in the controls. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased in late pregnancy and the nursing periods. Since the pregnant females examined gave birth to healthy newborn monkeys and nursed them normally, the hematological and serum biochemical measurements should represent the physiological values for squirrel monkeys during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

The role of diuretics in the aetiology of idiopathic oedema

The hypothesis that diuretic use and abuse and other purging behaviours cause idiopathic oedema was investigated in 102 patients. Of 91 symptomatic idiopathic oedema patients tested at referral, 16 (17.6%) had diuretic and four (4.4%) laxative in their urine. None had grossly disturbed serum urea and electrolytes. Examination of primary care records from 41 idiopathic oedema patients who denied current diuretic consumption, and denied or were uncertain about past consumption, showed that 20 had not been prescribed diuretics by their general practitioners at any time; a further 18 had not been prescribed diuretics for between seven months and 12 years before referral. The absence of evidence of plasma volume depletion (as judged by similar concentrations of mean serum urea, creatinine, total protein and albumin in patient and age-matched control groups) suggests that neither systematic diuretic and laxative use or abuse, nor episodic overeating and vomiting were responsible for symptoms of idiopathic oedema in our patients. Idiopathic oedema has a strong genetic basis, and correction of major and minor risk factors for this condition leads to substantial amelioration of symptoms in most cases.

To Drain or Not To Drain: A Retrospective Study of Closed-Suction Drainage Following Radical Hysterectomy with Pelvic Lymphadenectomy

The records of 115 patients were reviewed following radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy for early stage (IA2 to IIB) cervical cancer to determine the effectiveness of closed-suction drainage in decreasing postoperative morbidity. In Group 1 ( n = 67), closed-suction (Jackson-Pratt) drains were placed bilaterally in the pelvic lymphadenectomy sites, whereas in Group 2 ( n = 48), no drains were utilized. The groups were similar for mean age, tumor histology, disease stage, and preoperative serum albumin and total protein. There was no difference in the mean operative time, mean estimated blood loss, or transfusion rate. Likewise, febrile morbidity rates, incidence of pelvic cellulitis, length of postoperative ileus, and total hospital stay were similar. Group 1 had an increased rate of rehospitalization and morbidity directly related to the presence of the drains. The data suggest that prophylactic surgical drainage may not be necessary to prevent postoperative morbidity following radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and on occasion contributes to postoperative complications.

Constructing an Instrument to Measure the Rate of Aging in Female Pigtailed Macaques (Macaca Nemestrina)

To develop a battery of innocuous tests measuring individual differences in the rate of biological aging, longitudinal data were gathered on 28 biochemical, physiological, and morphological characteristics of 40 adult female pigtailed macaques. The change in each variable over time, i.e., the beta coefficient of linear regression, was calculated for each animal, and a matrix of correlations among the variables was constructed. Eight variables correlated well with the first principal component of the matrix. These variables (rate of fingernail growth, blood lymphocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, immunoglobulin A, and serum sodium, chloride, total protein, and creatinine) represented the best subset of the potential biomarkers analyzed to produce an index covering a range of morphologic and functional systems that change with age. A similar set representing a wider range of systems and measured over a larger fraction of the life span should provide a valid index of an individual's rate of biological aging.

Dissociation of serum fructosamine from fasting plasma glucose or hemoglobin A1c in diabetics.

To evaluate serum fructosamine as an indicator for diabetic control, serum fructosamine (FRA), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were simultaneously measured in 452 diabetics in stable diabetic control. We divided the measured FRA according to the degree of deviation from the expected FRA into three types, hyper-FRA, normo-FRA and hypo-FRA. In the hypo-FRA to HbA1c group, frequencies of male (70 vs 35, 43%) and of nephropathy (61 vs 30, 18%) were higher and mean total serum protein (6.5 vs 7.4, 7.4 g/dl) and albumin (3.4 vs 4.1, 4.0 g/dl) were lower than those in the other two corresponding groups. Correlation was also poorer in the insulin-treated group than the others. These results probably reflect conditions of diabetic control and complication, and protein metabolism. Similar tendencies were observed in case of FPG. Therefore, the discrepancy of FRA gives a clue to detect poor control and complications of diabetes.

Alterations in plasma copper, zinc, and ceruloplasmin levels in patients with thermal trauma.

This review was undertaken to elucidate the trends in copper, zinc, total serum protein, and ceruloplasmin levels in patients with thermal trauma. Medical records of pediatric and adult patients were retrospectively reviewed. The findings showed a significant linear decline in mean plasma copper, ceruloplasmin, and total serum protein during the first three days postburn, followed in general by a gradual rise in levels; however, patients with burns larger than 60% TBSA maintained copper, zinc, and ceruloplasmin levels significantly below the lower limits of normal during the observation period. Significant decrements in copper, zinc, total serum protein, and ceruloplasmin levels have been demonstrated in these patients. Trace metal determinations should be obtained in patients with significant burns soon after admission and routinely throughout their hospital course. Specific trace metal supplementation should be administered when indicated.

Percentile estimates of reference values for total protein and albumin in sera of premature infants (less than 37 weeks of gestation).

We measured the concentrations of total protein and albumin in sera of 281 well-fed premature infants, gestational ages 22-36 weeks, and calculated reference values from the 10th to 90th percentiles. The mean serum albumin concentration (27.6 +/- 4.4 g/L, mean +/- SD) and total protein concentration (49.2 +/- 6.7 g/L) at a postnatal age of 14.5 days were lower than reference values for full-term infants. We detected a significant positive correlation between albumin concentration and gestational age (r = 0.34, p less than 0.01) and total protein concentration and gestational age (r = 0.43, p less than 0.01). Even though albumin values were low, generalized edema was not present. We conclude that values for total protein and albumin in the preterm infant are lower than in the full-term infant but are an expected physiological response to premature birth.

Clinical characteristics of patients younger than 60 years with mitral anular calcium: Comparison with age- and sex-matched control subjects

The clinical characteristics of 107 patients younger than 60 years with mitral anular calcium (MAC) were compared with those of 107 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The patients with MAC included 55 men and 52 women, mean age 51 years. The control group included 55 men and 52 women, mean age 51 years. Patients with MAC had a higher prevalence of cardiomegaly on chest x-ray (p less than 0.0001), left atrial and left ventricular enlargement by echocardiography (p less than 0.0001), precordial murmurs (p less than 0.0001), diabetes mellitus (p less than 0.0001), systemic hypertension (p less than 0.025) and total conduction defects on surface electrocardiograms (p less than 0.0001) compared with the age- and sex-matched control subjects. The mean serum phosphorus and product of serum calcium and phosphorus were higher in patients with MAC (p less than 0.0025) than in the control subjects. The prevalence of coronary heart disease, aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and the mean serum cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase and calcium levels were not significantly different between patients with MAC and the control subjects.

Haematology of the racehorse. A recent study of thoroughbreds in Victoria.

Summaryab&gt;The study was based on 216 blood samples collected from 136 Thoroughbred racehorses in 17 stables. Lower variability in the population studied and lower means than in previous studies were attributed in part to measures taken to reduce excitement of the horses during blood collection. The demeanour of the animals during collection was assessed subjectively as placid, timid, apprehensive or excited. The five horses which became excited had significantly higher RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, total eosinophil count, serum total protein and probably lower ESR. Timid and apprehensive horses did not show these responses.Because of the location of eight stables, samples from them were stored overnight at 4°C before analysis. These samples had higher mean MCV, PCV, MCH, and serum total protein and lower mean MCHC. The likelihood of this arising from swelling and perhaps rupture of some erythrocytes during transportation and storage was discussed.Serum total protein estimates were within the range determined from other reports from horses of various breeds. However albumin and the A/G ratio determined by electrophoresis were higher, but comparable with two other reports from Thoroughbreds. In comparative studies on the estimation of A/G ratios it appeared that equine serum albumin determination was higher using the bromcresol green reagent than by electrophoresis.After eliminating 14 cases with abnormalities of the total and/or differential leucocyte count, parameters were calculated from 202 samples for the definition of normal ranges. The absence of skewness and kurtosis indicated that the individual estimates of RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, MCV and MCH followed the normal distribution and that the means and standard deviations were appropriate for defining normal ranges. With only ESR and TEC were the coefficients of variation, skewness and kurtosis so great as to cast doubt on the practical use of these estimates.

Progressive Changes in Serum Proteins and the Rheumatoid Factor of Chickens Infected with Mycoplasma synoviae

Sera from controls and chickens infected with Mycoplasma synoviae were examined for serum protein content by cellulose-acetate electrophoresis, and for rheumatoid factor (RF) by a latex-agglutination test at 8, 18, 28, 38, and 48 days postinoculation (DPI). Mean total serum protein concentration was significantly elevated by 8 DPI and rose to much higher concentrations on each subsequent day of examination. The mean albumin concentration was significantly decreased by 8 DPI, and continued to decline to very low levels at 18 and 28 DPI, after which it began to rise and by 48 DPI did not significantly differ from the controls. The mean alpha-globulin concentrations were significantly elevated on all days of examination. The mean beta- and gamma-globulin concentrations were significantly elevated by 8 DPI and reached maximum levels at 18 DPI but remained elevated throughout the test. The percentage of chickens having RF titers increased on each successive examination day, but only 56% of the chickens had titers at 48 DPI.

Seasonal variations in total serum protein concentration in an estuarine raccoon population.

Total serum protein (TSP) levels were recorded for the adult cohort in a population of southern Florida raccoons (Procyon lotor marinus) for a period of 1 year. TSP levels were found to fluctuate seasonally, with autumn levels being the highest and spring and summer levels the lowest. Values for males tended to be higher than those for females. There may be a correlation between mean TSP levels and mean body weight. In 10 male raccoons recaptured during the study period, the same pattern of fluctuation in TSP levels was observed.