National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH)

Topics in Animal Health Research 1999

05. An Early Diagnosis Method of Bovine Respiratory Diseases by Blood Haptoglobin and alpha1-Acid Glycoprotein

Serum concentrations of haptoglobin and alpha1-acid glycoprotein in the affected calves increased significantly, and the increase started several days before the clinical signs of respiratory diseases were observed. The concentration changes of these acute phase proteins were often accompanied with respiratory disease conditions. The concentration rapidly decreased in the calves that recovered quickly. On the other hand, chronic calves maintained high levels of the proteins for a long time. Haptoglobin is especially sensitive, and its values were 10 to 100 times higher than in the normal calves.
From these results, blood haptoglobin and alpha1-acid glycoprotein can be used for the early diagnosis of bovine respiratory diseases. (Lab. of Animal Hygiene, Department of Grazing Animal Production, National Grassland Research Institute TEL +81-287-36-0111)

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