Comparison of Serum Protein Electrophoresis Values in Wild and Captive Whooping Cranes (Grus americana)

Abstract

Protein electrophoresis of serum samples from endangered, wild whooping cranes ( Grus americana ) was performed to help assess the health of the only self-sustaining, migratory population in North America. Serum samples from wild adult cranes (n = 22) were taken at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, USA during winter. Wild juvenile cranes (n = 26) were sampled at Wood Buffalo National Park, Northwest Territories, Canada, in midsummer. All captive crane samples were acquired from the International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, WI, USA. Captive adult cranes (n = 30) were sampled during annual examinations, and archived serum samples from captive juvenile cranes (n = 19) were selected to match the estimated age of wild juveniles. Wild juveniles had significantly lower concentrations of all protein fractions than wild adults, except for prealbumin and γ globulins. All protein fraction concentrations for wild juveniles were significantly lower compared with captive juveniles, except for prealbumin and γ globulins, which were higher. Wild adults had significantly greater γ globulin concentrations than captive adults. Captive juveniles had significantly lower prealbumin and albumin concentrations and albumin : globulin ratios than captive adults. The higher γ globulin concentrations in wild versus captive cranes are likely because of increased antigenic exposure and immune stimulation. Protein fraction concentrations vary significantly with age and natural history in this species. Reference intervals for serum protein electrophoresis results from captive adult whooping cranes are provided in this study.

Protein electrophoresis of non‐traditional species: A review

“…58,84 In addition, increases were also observed in molting bar-headed geese, clinically normal nestling white-tailed eagles, and wild juvenile whooping cranes. 86,108,112 In the red-breasted and Hawaiian goose species, the prealbumin migrating fraction level was observed to decrease with increased corticosterone levels, associated with increased stress relative to transport and quarantine. 113 EPH has been used as an adjunct tool in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, including chlamydiosis, aspergillosis, sarcocystosis, bornavirus infection, and mycobacteriosis.…”

“…26,83,[103][104][105][106][107] In addition, differences in wild and captive populations have also been reported. 108…”

Investigation of Serum Protein Levels in Patients Infected with Active Viral Hepatitis B

“…Bu sistemde analizi yapılacak örnek bir destek ortamına uygulanır. Serum protein elektroforezi, serum proteinlerini alkali ortamda yüklerine ve molekül ağırlıklarına göre ayırmada kullanılan bir yöntemdir (8,9). Elektroforezde prealbumin, albumin, α1 globulin, α2 globulin, β globulin ve γ globulin olmak üzere 6 band elde edilir (6).…”

“…Serum elektroforeziyle pralbumin ölçümü pratikte yapılmaz, çünkü, miktarı çok azdır. Elektroforez yerine, başka immünolojık tekniklerle (neflometre gibi) prealbumin miktarı belirlenir (9). Ancak heparin tedavileri sırasında prealbumin arttığından, elektroforezle bile bu band kendini göstermektedir.…”

“…Bağışıklık hücreleri bu yabancı proteinlerle savaşırlar ve içinde B virüsü bulunduran hücreleri parçalarlar (8). Sonuçta karaciğerde hücre hasarı meydana gelir ve iltihap başlamış olur ve bu nedenle karaciğer enzimleri artar (9). Viral hepatite en sık neden olan etkenler hepatit A, B, C, D, E virüsleridir.…”