[Haptoglobulin in domestic mammals. IV. Experimental influencing of the haptoglobulin level]

The effects of turpentine oil, vaccines, pyrogens, corticotrophin, prednisolone, adrenaline and autologous haemoglobin on the haptoglobin content of plasma was investigated in cattle and pigs. In comparison with rabbits, relatively small doses of turpentine oil led to a considerable increase in haptoglobin, a 50% increase occurring within 4 to 6 days in pigs and only 1.5-2 days in cattle. Bacterial products also increased haptoglobin. It was confirmed that pigs react very rapidly (after 8 hours) to injection of corticotrophin, prednisolone or adrenaline with an increase in plasma haptoglobin. Following complete saturation of infused haemoglobin by haptoglobin, new haptoglobin was rapidly formed, so that the initial haptoglobin concentration was regained about 24 hours after infusion of haemoglobin.