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Antigenic assay for protein C determination in horses
E G Welles1, K W Prasse, A Duncan
1Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
American Journal of Veterinary Research
|July 1, 1990
Summary
A new assay accurately measures equine protein C (a blood anticoagulant). While antigen levels were similar to amidolytic activity in healthy horses, they differed significantly when anticoagulant function was reduced, indicating assay utility.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Protein C is a crucial vitamin K-dependent anticoagulant in blood.
- Understanding equine protein C levels is vital for diagnosing coagulation disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an antigenic assay for quantifying protein C in horses.
- To compare protein C antigen levels with its amidolytic activity in equine plasma.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of protein C from equine plasma.
- Production of a specific antibody in goats.
- Establishment of a rocket electroimmunophoresis assay for protein C antigen determination.
Main Results:
- The developed assay successfully measured protein C antigen in 34 clinically normal horses.
- Mean antigen content (104.5 +/- 13.8%) and amidolytic activity (104.6 +/- 17.5%) were comparable, but correlation was low (r=0.1).
- Horses treated with Na coumarin showed reduced amidolytic activity but minimal change in protein C antigen levels.
Conclusions:
- The developed rocket electroimmunophoresis assay is a viable method for measuring equine protein C antigen.
- The low correlation suggests that protein C antigen levels may not always reflect its anticoagulant function, especially under certain conditions.