SERUM AMYLOID-A (SAA) AND HAPTOGLOBIN (HP) PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS IN NEWBORN CALVES

摘要

The concentrations of 2 major bovine acute-phase proteins, haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid-A (SAA), were measured in plasma obtained shortly after birth from 22 healthy calves. In a separate group of diseased calves (n=8, Kp and SAA concentrations were measured to determine whether newborn calves (up to 4 d old) are able to produce SAA and Hp. In blood samples taken directly after birth, the Hp plasma concentrations were all below the limit of detection. The mean SAA concentration was independent of weight (r=0.063), degree of acidosis (r=-0.125), sex (p>0.05), and were not different in calves born after different types of obstetrical help (p>0.05). In the group of diseased calves, an increased Hp concentration was measured in only 2 of 8 animals, whereas the mean SAA concentration was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the healthy newborn calves.