Serum proteins and electrophoretic profile in horses undergoing crotalid venom hyperimmunization

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Immunology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Antivenoms are crucial for treating snakebite envenoming.
• Long-term effects of hyperimmunization in horses used for antivenom production are not well-studied.
• Snake venom and adjuvant injections cause local and systemic reactions in horses, with limited data on inflammatory protein responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate serum proteins and electrophoretic profiles in horses undergoing Crotalus sp. venom hyperimmunization.
• To investigate the impact of chronic antivenom production on equine health.

Main Methods:

• Twenty horses were divided into inoculated (n=10) and control (n=10) groups.
• Serum total protein, albumin, globulins (calculated), and plasma fibrinogen were measured.
• Serum proteinograms were analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis.

Main Results:

• The inoculated group showed significantly elevated total serum proteins, globulins, and β-globulins above reference values.
• Slight, non-significant increases in α-1 and α-2 globulin subfractions were observed in producing horses.
• Hypoalbuminemia was noted in hyperimmune horses, though not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• Continuous use of horses for crotalid antivenom production may induce a chronic inflammatory stimulus.
• Changes in plasma inflammatory protein levels are associated with long-term hyperimmunization in horses.