Serum Haptoglobin Concentration in Cattle

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 66; no. 1; pp. 43 - 46
• Main Authors: CHAN, Jacky Peng-Wen, CHU, Chia Cheng, FUNG, Hang Poung, CHUANG, Shih Te, LIN, Yung Chang, CHU, Rea Min, LEE, Shuang Lin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01.01.2004; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: Animals; basal value; Biomarkers - blood; cattle; Cattle - blood; Cattle Diseases - blood; Female; Haptoglobin; Haptoglobins - metabolism; Insemination, Artificial - veterinary; Male; Postpartum Period - blood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Animal - blood; Puerperal Disorders - blood; Puerperal Disorders - veterinary
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.66.43

To obtain a basal concentration of serum Haptoglobin (Hp) in cattle in Taiwan, Hp concentrations were measured from serum samples collected from 10 healthy heifers, every week for one year. The values were also compared with those collected from 15 cows diagnosed with postpartum metritis. The heifers were successfully impregnated by artificial insemination six months after the tests. Hp concentrations were also measured in the serum collected from 11 other cows within 3 weeks after parturition. The Hp assay developed in this study gave a good correlation (r=0.893)with Western blotting. The Hp concentration of 454 serum samples from the 10 heifers had a mean value of 83.6 ± 34.1 mg/l, and there was no significant difference among individual heifers. The basal value of Hp in heifers was calculated as less than 73.6 mg/l. No significant difference in Hp concentration was observed among the 10 heifers during cold and warm seasons (19.8 ± 2.2 °C vs 27.3 ± 1.4°C), or before and after pregnancy. The mean serum Hp concentration from cows suffering from postpartum reproductive disorders was 1133.5 ± 627.1 mg/l, which was significantly greater than the serum of healthy heifers and postpartum cows (104.6 ± 61.0 mg/l) (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that Hp concentration may be a useful indicator for cows with postpartum reproductive disorders.