The Effect of Storage Temperature and Time on the Concentrations of Bovine Serum Amyloid A and Its Mammary Associated Isoform

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage under various conditions on the concentrations of major bovine acute phase protein—serum amyloid A, and its mammary isoform. Blood samples were taken from seven clinically healthy calves, and milk samples from six clinically healthy dairy cows. The harvested blood serum and the milk samples were fractioned into aliquots. One aliquot was analyzed on the day of collection without storage. The second aliquots were stored at 4°C for 1 day, the remaining aliquots were kept frozen at −18°C for 2, 7, 14, and 21 days, and then analyzed. Blood serum was analyzed for serum amyloid A (SAA). The concentrations of mammary isoform of SAA (M-SAA) were measured in milk samples. Over time, the concentrations of SAA in serum showed a tendency of significant decrease during storage at −18°C (P < 0.01). Similarly, the values of M-SAA decreased significantly in samples maintained at freezer temperatures (P < 0.001). In the refrigerated samples, we found non-significantly lower values of SAA, as well as M-SAA. Presented results indicate that the storage temperature and duration may markedly affect the concentrations of bovine SAA and M-SAA

Serum protein electrophoretic pattern in dairy cows during the periparturient period

This study was aimed at the evaluation of changes in the concentrations of serum protein fractions in 10 clinically healthy dairy cows in the period from 1 week before to 6 weeks after calving. Serum was analysed for total protein concentrations, and the relative and absolute values of protein fractions – albumin, alpha1- (α1), alpha2- (α2), beta1- (β1), beta2- (β2), and gamma- (γ) globulins. The concentrations of total proteins increased significantly from week 1 before parturition till the end of the sixth week of lactation (P < .001). In the concentrations of albumin, a slight decrease was observed 1 week after parturition, with a further decrease till the end of the study. The concentrations of α1- and α2-globulins increased significantly during the early stages of postpartal period (P < .01 and P < .001). The concentrations of β2-globulins showed an increasing trend after calving (P < .001). The concentrations of γ-globulins increased 3 and 6 weeks after calving (P < .001). These results showed dynamic changes in the serum protein electrophoretic pattern during peripartum period which reflect the physiological response of the organism to the variation of metabolic and immune functions occurring from gestational non-lactating to a non-gestational lactating state in periparturient dairy cows