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Proteins of Bovine Serum

University of South Carolina, Columbia^1,2,

Abstract

The protein composition of the blood from 97 heifers challenged with virulent Brucella abortus strain 2308 was studied using paper electrophoresis separation techniques. The average values for the protein components of the serum for heifers which were not infected or vaccinated were albumin 54%, alpha globulin 11%, beta globulin 12%, and gamma globulin 23%. Only minor changes in this distribution were noted during the early phases of the infection with Brucella abortus.

About 20 days before the end of gestation, the gamma globulin and total protein content of the serum of both infected and noninfected animals decreased briefly while a corresponding increase in the albumin fraction occurred. Decreases in the alpha and beta globulins were less consistent during this period, but were observed with more frequency in non-infected animals.

During a more extended period of time which began about 10 days before the end of gestation, a marked increase in gamma globulin was observed. This high gamma globulin content persisted until after abortion or parturition. The increase in gamma globulin was accompanied by a marked decrease in the albumin fraction. Changes in the alpha and beta fractions were not consistent.

Basic changes in the electrophoretic pattern of both infected and noninfected heifers appear to be related to the physiologic stage of gestation. Infected heifers exhibited more pronounced changes; however, the basic pattern remains the same in both infected and noninfected animals.

¹ School of Pharmacy.

² The authors are grateful to the Animal Health Division, Agr. Res. Service, U.S.D.A., Columbia, S. C. for supplying samples of serum and to the Food Science and Biochemistry Department of Clemson University for use of electrophoresis and other equipment used in the initial trials.