674
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
no edit summary
=== Complementary tests in Equine ===
=== Complementary tests in Equine ===
Protein electrophoresis.
Protein electrophoresis.
== Protein Electrophoresis ==
Protein electrophoresis may be indicated when globulins are elevated or there are changes in the albumin to globulin ratio. This is a technique by which the serum proteins are separated into four fractions: albumin, α globulins, β globulins and γ globulins. Canine, feline and equine alpha and beta globulins are further subdivided into α1, α2, β1 and β2 fractions.
'''α-globulin'''. Predominantly synthesised in the liver, (α1-fetoprotein synthesised by foetal live cells). α1-globulin fraction includes high density lipoproteins and acute phase proteins, which are inflammatory markers (α1-antitrypsin, α1-acid glycoprotein). The α2-globulin fraction includes very low density lipoproteins, low density lipoproteins (on cellulose acetate) and acute phase proteins (α2-macroglobulin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobulin).
'''β-globulin'''. In most domestic animals except ruminants these can be divided into β1 and β2 -globulins. These include important acute phase proteins such as complement (C3, C4), protein C (a natural anticoagulant in plasma), C-reactive protein, ferritin and amyloid A. The β1-globulin fraction includes some of the low density lipoproteins. Fibrinogen, another acute phase protein slightly trails the β2-globulins. The immunoglobulins IgM and IgA extend from the β2 to the γ region. In response to the antigenic stimulus of some infectious agents, or in plasma cell malignancies, immunoglobulins can be recognised in the β2 zone as well as the γ regions.
'''γ -globulin'''. In most animals these are seen as two fractions, γ1 and γ2. IgA, IgM and IgE are mainly found in the γ1 region and IgG mainly in the γ2 region.
'''Small animals'''. The details shown in the table below provide information for the interpretation of small animal protein electrophoresis. There is currently a great deal of interest in quantitative measurement of individual acute phase proteins, such as serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein and α-1-acid glycoprotein to assist in the diagnosis of non-specific acute inflammatory disease and conditions such as FIP.
Electrophoretogram
== References ==
== References ==