IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF ALPHA(1)-ACID GLYCOPROTEIN IN LIVER-TISSUES OF BOVINE FETUSES, NEWBORN CALVES, AND SICK OR HEALTHY ADULT CATTLE

Objective-To detect localization of alpha(1)-acid glycol protein (alph a(1)-AG) antigens in the liver tissue of cattle by use of immunoperoxi dase technique. Sample Population-Liver specimens from 6 bovine fetuse s, 2 healthy bovine neonates, 2 healthy adult cattle, 3 cattle with ex perimentally induced hepatic abscesses, and 2 cattle with enzootic bov ine leukosis (EBL). Procedure-3 cattle (with hepatic abscesses) were i noculated with a suspension of Fusobacterium necrophorum in the rumina l vein. Serum alpha(1)-AG concentration was determined by use of the s ingle radial immunodiffusion method. Livers from fetuses, newborn calv es, and adult or sick cattle were fixed in buffered 10% formalin, dehy drated in alcohol, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained by use of the avidin-biotin complex/immunoperoxidase technique. Results-Site s of localization of the alpha(1)-AG antigen positive reaction (AGPR) in the liver obtained from bovine fetuses, neonates, or sick cattle we re different. In fetal and newborn calves, the AGPR was detected in th e cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Intensity of the reaction varied in direct proportion to alpha(1)-AG serum concentration. In adult cattle, the A GPR was particularly intense in hepatocytes adjacent to abscesses or E BL-induced tumors. Conclusions-The pattern of distribution of cells wi th AGPR in the liver varied, depending on severity of inflammation. In the cattle with EBL, whether the AGPR was attributable to inflammatio n could not be clarified, although suppression of immunologic response to tumors may have been a cause of the observed reaction. This associ ation suggests that the glycoprotein may be synthesized, mainly in hep atocytes.