Assessment of the reliability of plasma electrophoresis in birds.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the reliability of plasma electrophoresis (EPH) in psittacine birds.


METHODS
93 psittacine birds.


METHODS
Jugular venipuncture was performed on 93 awake psittacine birds. The plasma was centrifuged, separated, aliquoted into duplicate samples, frozen, and sent to 2 commercial laboratories that routinely perform avian EPH. Samples from 51 birds were sent to laboratory A, and samples from 42 birds were sent to laboratory B. The reliability of EPH results within each laboratory was assessed, but not between laboratories. To determine the reliability (agreement between duplicate samples) of total protein, albumin, prealbumin, alpha1-, alpha2-, beta-, and gamma-globulin concentrations, the intraclass correlation coefficient (r(i)) was calculated.


RESULTS
Both laboratories had excellent agreement between samples for measurement of total protein concentration and only good agreement for albumin concentration. Except for the prealbumin concentration measured at laboratory B, both laboratories had poor agreement for all other values of the EPH.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that plasma EPH for measuring prealbumin, alpha1-, alpha2-, beta-, and gamma-globulin concentrations may not be a reliable tool for assessing avian health. Small amounts of these proteins in birds plus human variation in reading the EPH curves may lead to variable results. Avian veterinarians should cautiously interpret results from plasma EPH assays for these protein fractions.
Rosenthal
Karen L
KL
Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Hospital, Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Johnston
Matthew S
MS
Shofer
Frances S
FS
D000818:Animals; D001797:Blood Protein Electrophoresis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005916:Globulins / Q000378:metabolism; D011563:Psittaciformes / Q000097:blood*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D001798:Blood Proteins; D005916:Globulins