Modification of Hemoglobin Binding Assay and Measurement of Bovine Haptoglobin in Postpartum Period

Abstract

Hemoglobin Binding Assay (HBA), one of the methods of bovine serum haptoglobin (Hp) analysis, was modified to shorten the reaction time. The values of bovine serum Hp determined by modified HBA highly correlated with those determined by single radial immunodiffusion assay, and the assay reproducibility (intra- and inter-assay) was acceptable. In healthy postpartum cows, the concentration of serum Hp was elevated until 3 days after parturition and subsequently decreased. The values of the mean, median, and 95th percentile in healthy cows (6-16 weeks after parturition, n = 754) were 110, 98, and 170 μg/ml, respectively. The median value in healthy heifers (n = 41) was 88 μg/ml (mean 91 μg/ml). The levels of serum Hp in cows suffering from post parturient mastitis and a retained placenta were significantly higher than those in healthy cows (1 and 3 days after parturition). Serum Hp was significantly high in cows with acute mastitis or clinical mastitis, compared to those in healthy cows. These results suggest that the modified HBA could be a useful method for diagnosis in postpartum cows.