Irish Journal of Medical Science (1926-1967)

, Volume 36, Issue 4, pp 174–180 | Cite as

An analysis of proteins in the serum of maternal and foetal sheep and the lamb by paper electrophoresis

  • J. V. McLoughlin
  • E. F. McCarthy
  • T. Közlik
Article

Summary

The proteins of pregnant and foetal sheep and newborn lamb serum were examined by paper electrophoresis. The following changes in serum protein constitution were observed in foetal serum between 81 and 129 days of gestation and in newborn lamb serum up to 19 days after birth:

(1) The serum albumin of the foetus was initially lower than that of the mother but rose steadily throughout gestation, and eventually reached a higher level than that of the mother.

(2) Theα1-globulin content of the foetal serum was higher than that of the maternal serum throughout the antenatal period, but fell steadily with increasing foetal age.

(3) At 81 days of gestation about one third of the total protein of the foetal serum consisted ofα2-globulin. The level dropped steadily as parturition approached.

(4) The foetalβ1-globulin rose steadily as gestation continued.

(5) The presence of certain degrees of haemolysis in the foetal blood samples collected makes it difficult to draw conclusions about changes occurring in the serumβ2-globulin of the foetus during intrauterine life.

(6) Shortly after birth, and following ingestion of colostrum, a high level ofγ-globulin was present in lamb serum. The appearance ofγ-globulin in the serum was accompanied by a drop in the albumin level. The serumγ-globulin continued to increase, the albumin to decrease, for several days, after which a reversal of this trend occurred, and theγ-globulin level fell while the albumin level rose.

(7) Theα1-globulin of lamb serum did not appear to undergo any change during the immediate postnatal period. Theα2-globulin fell sharply however, and theβ1-globulin rose steadily to reach 12·8 per cent. of the total serum protein 19 days after birth.

No conclusions could be drawn about the serumβ2-globulin changes, if any, occurring after birth.

(8) Under the electrophoretic conditions employed, a separation of sheep serum albumin into two, sometimes three, distinct components took place.

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Copyright information

© Springer 1961

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. V. McLoughlin
    • 1
    • 2
  • E. F. McCarthy
  • T. Közlik
  1. 1.From the Protein Laboratory of the Medical Research Council of Ireland, Department of PhysiologyUniversity CollegeDublin
  2. 2.Medical Research Council of IrelandIreland

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