The effects of sex, body length, and different habitats on the serum protein electrophoresis of the broad‐snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris)

Abstract

Background Knowledge of mammalian inflammatory responses is vast; however, many aspects of the inflammatory response in non‐mammalian vertebrates, such as reptiles, remain unclear, including those regarding acute‐phase proteins (APPs). Recent studies have focused on the use of serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) to assess inflammatory responses in the broad‐snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) and other reptiles. Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of sex, body length, and different habitats on SPE patterns in C latirostris using sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). Methods A total of 40 animals of both sexes and varying body lengths were collected; of these, 23 were free‐living in an industrial complex (site 1), and 17 were captive on a rural property (site 2). Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was performed to fractionate different serum protein constituents. Results Sex affected protein levels, with females showing higher serum levels of total protein, as well as the 90‐, 66‐, and 58‐kDa proteins compared with males. Similarly, body length affected protein levels, with male adults >1.70 m in length showing the lowest serum levels of 152‐, 58‐, 54‐, and 27‐kDa proteins of all other animals. Finally, habitat affected protein levels, with animals at site 1 showing higher serum levels of 152‐ and 41‐kDa proteins compared with those at site 2. Conclusions This preliminary study was the first to evaluate the SPE of C latirostris using SDS‐PAGE. Further studies to identify the proteins in each band with more specific and sensitive techniques (eg, mass spectrometry) should be conducted to elucidate the standard of APPs in reptiles better.