α2-Macroglobulin Concentrations in Canine and Equine Serum Donors.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine if serum α2-macroglobulin (A2M) concentration varies based on donor species-canine or equine-and signalment. METHODS: Serum A2M concentration ([A2M]) was measured in healthy dogs (n = 30) and horses (n = 31) using species-specific ELISAs. RESULTS: Canine and equine [A2M] median (IQR; range) were 98.70 ng/mL (92.79 ng/mL; 34.33-696.18 ng/mL) and 557 000 ng/mL (437 900 ng/mL; 62 600-3 042 900 ng/mL), respectively. Equine [A2M] was significantly higher than canine [A2M]. Depending on the statistical analysis performed, sex had either no statistical (p = 0.17) or medium practical (η = 0.07) effect on canine serum [A2M], with male dogs having higher [A2M] practically. There was no association between serum [A2M] and duration of serum storage at -80°C. CONCLUSIONS: Equine serum [A2M] was exponentially higher than that of dogs. Sex may affect [A2M] in dogs. Further study is needed to evaluate how this difference affects antiprotease activity.