Reference values for electrophoresis of serum proteins in goats

Abstract

Electrophoretic profiles of serum proteins can help on the diagnosis of several pathologies. However, the establishment of local reference values is important for accurate interpretation of this laboratory assay, since those values may be variable depending on local conditions. Thus, the aim of the present research work was to determine the reference values for eletrophoretic separation of serum proteins in goats from Rio Grande do Norte State (RN) Brazil farms. Blood samples were collected from 22 adult goats, negative for caprine arthritis and encephalitis virus, from farms at Afonso Bezerra city. Serum levels of total proteins were assayed and separation of gobulins performed by electrophoresis. The following results were found: Total proteins, 70.0 g/L, albumin, 37.0 g/ L, a- globulins, 7.63 g/L, b1 globulins, 10.4 g/l, b2- globulins, 10.2 g/L, g-globulins, 4.76 g/L, and albumin/ globulins ratio 1.16. Thus, data from this research work may be useful as a tool on the diagnosis of goat diseases.