Determination of C-reactive protein by turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA) in sheep

Abstract

C-reactive protein (CRP) has been shown to be an important part of acute phase reaction in domestic mammals. We investigated the presence of CRP in Slovenian sheep in order to obtain a better understanding of the distribution of CRP in ovine species. The reference sample comprised fifty-two clinically healthy female sheep (14 Sol~a breed and 38 Bov{ko breed, aged between six months and four years). Assay for CRP was carried out in blood serum using a turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA) with rabbit polyclonal antibodies against human CRP molecule. Values for CRP ranged between 0.000 and 13.600 mg/l, while concentration of CRP (overall mean±s.e.m.) was 6.280±0.429 mg/l. Sample reference limits (95 % confidence interval) were between 0.086 and 12.474 mg/l. Mean CRP concentrations for both breeds were 5.235±0.429 for Bov{ko sheep and 9.115±0.647 mg/l for Sol~a sheep, respectively (P<0.001). It can be concluded that CRP serum levels represent the result of compromised metabolic and immunological activity. This study was thought to be helpful in distinguishing between normal and pathological serum values for CRP in sheep. Key words: turbidimetric immunoassay, C-reactive protein, reference limits, shee