THE ACUTE-PHASE RESPONSE OF ACID-SOLUBLE GLYCOPROTEIN, ALPHA(1)-ACID GLYCOPROTEIN, CERULOPLASMIN, HAPTOGLOBIN AND C-REACTIVE PROTEIN, IN THE PIG

The acute phase serum protein response to infection, inflammation or t rauma has been identified in a number of species and consists of alter ations to the serum concentrations of several proteins. It is known th at the profile of acute phase protein response to stimulation differs between species, In the pig, individual proteins have been identified as acute phase proteins in association with infection or pathological lesions. In this investigation, turpentine injection was used to stimu late a sterile inflammatory lesion in pigs so that the relative change s in acute phase protein could be determined and the most appropriate proteins identified as markers oi inflammation. The mean serum concent ration of the acid soluble glycoprotein fraction showed a two-fold inc rease with a peak 2 days after treatment, The mean serum alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein concentration fluctuated during the period following inj ection of turpentine with little difference from the control animals. The mean concentration of serum ceruloplasmin increased by 40% by the 4th day following treatment. The mean serum concentration of haptoglob in increased more than two-fold reaching a peak on the 2nd day after t reatment. The mean serum C-reactive protein level increased eight-fold with a peak on the 2nd day after turpentine injection. C-reactive pro tein and haptoglobin are likely to be the best markers for the identif ication of inflammatory lesions in pigs.