Influence of Molt on Plasma Protein Electrophoretic Patterns in Bar-Headed Geese (Anser Indicus)

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Plasma protein electrophoresis is recognized as a reliable diagnostic tool in avian medicine; however, the influence of circannual phenomena such as molt on protein electrophoregrams is poorly documented. The molt is a period of heavy hormonal and metabolic change in birds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of molt on total protein concentration and electrophoresis patterns in birds. Blood samples were taken from 19 Barheaded Geese (Anser indicus) from mid-May to mid-August, at 15-day intervals. At the same time, molting stage of each bird was recorded. Total protein concentrations were measured and plasma agarose gel electrophoresis was performed on these samples. The Bar-headed Goose was chosen as a model, because they molt over a very short period. The total protein concentration and albumin, alpha-2, beta, and gamma fractions were at their minimum values during molt, whereas the prealbumin and alpha-1 fractions rose to their maximum levels. This study provides baseline information relevant to changes occurring in avian proteinograms throughout the molt. The increase in prealbumin and alpha-1 fractions may be related to an increase in plasma thyroid hormones during molt. The decrease observed in albumin, alpha-2, beta, and gamma fractions may be related to protein and energy shifts toward feather growth, as well as to an expansion of the circulatory system located around the feather follicles with secondary dilutional effects on protein fractions. From a clinical point of view, the observed changes associated with molting were less significant than initially expected, and would not likely results in incorrect diagnoses based on interpretation of the protein electrophoretic patterns.

Effects of Inclusion of Different Doses of Persicaria odorata Leaf Meal (POLM) in Broiler Chicken Feed on Biochemical and Haematological Blood Indicators and Liver Histomorphological Changes

“…The fattening period of broiler chickens is very short, and there is a rapid accumulation of building proteins in the body tissues, which may significantly influence the concentrations of proteins in the blood, as well as their composition [ 65 ]. This rapid growth trend requires intensive erythropoiesis and haemoglobin synthesis, which can result in increased globulin production, potentially affecting the concentrations of serum protein levels in growing chickens [ 66 , 67 ]. The current study results showed that the inclusion of POLM significantly increased the levels of TP, albumin, and globulin compared to the control group.…”

Changes of total protein and protein fractions in broiler chickens during the fattening period

“…Among various pathological conditions causing changes in the serum biochemistry values, there are several physiological (breeding, molting, and nest building), as well as exogenous factors (husbandry conditions), that may potentially affect the concentrations of serum proteins also in birds [7,8]. The process of growth and development in chickens, especially in broilers, is a very intensive period accompanied by great metabolic changes, increase of body mass, and accumulation of enormous amount of muscle in a very short time [9].…”

When moult overlaps migration: moult-related changes in plasma biochemistry of migrating common snipe

“…This initial rise was followed by a decrease over the next stages of moult, similarly as in our study. A decrease in total protein concentration during moult was also recorded in seabirds (Work, 1996), passerines (Newton, 1968; DeGraw & Kern, 1985), ducks and geese (Driver, 1981; Roman et al, 2009). Other studies showed that the level of total protein was significantly higher after moult than during feather replacement (Thompson & Drobney, 1996).…”

“…Snipe have probably the highest protein demand at the beginning of moult, due to the rapid acceleration of keratin synthesis for feather production and other metabolic processes associated with early phases of moult, such as vascularization of the active feather follicles, pulp formation, and an increase of erythrocytes (DeGraw & Kern, 1985; Murphy & King, 1992). It has been shown that deposition of protein as keratins of feathers may equal a quarter or more of the total protein mass of the bird (Newton, 1968; Murphy & Taruscio, 1995; Roman et al, 2009). Production of keratin depends largely upon sulphur containing amino acids (cysteine and cystine), which, thus, may be critical for plumage synthesis.…”

“…While it remains unknown whether the common snipe primarily use endogenous or exogenous nutrients for feather synthesis, it was found that snipe depend on endogenous energy from adipocyte cells during moult period (Minias et al, 2010a). The decreased levels of plasma total protein observed during the final stages of moult result from an ongoing protein accumulation in feathers or muscles, as well as from less intensive synthesis in the liver (Roman et al, 2009). At the advanced stage of moult, some proteins obtained with food could be also catabolized into amino acids and keto acids, and then used primarily as energy or for synthesis of fatty acids (Artacho et al, 2007).…”