title: Acute phase proteins response in hunting dogs.
abstract: Haptoglobin (Hp), serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cells (WBC) were assessed in 20 dogs divided into 2 groups. The dogs of group A were not subjected to hunting exercise (control group), while the dogs of group B were subjected to hunting exercise for 3 hr (experimental group). Blood samples were collected from each animal before hunting (T0), immediately after 3 hr of hunting (T1), and after 1 hr of recovery (T2). The general linear model (GLM) repeated measures procedure showed a significant difference between the 2 groups (P < 0.0001) and a significant rise (P < 0.0001) in concentration of Hp, SAA, and CRP after hunting exercise, with a consequent decline during recovery period in group B. These parameters could be considered valid and easily obtainable biomarkers in relation to hunting stress in dogs. Additional studies will continue to elucidate the magnitude and the time of response of other acute phase proteins.
authors.affiliation: 1Francesco Fazio, Department of Veterinary Science, Polo Universitario Annunziata, University of Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy. francesco.fazio@unime.it.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Casella
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fazio
authors.forename: Carmelo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giudice
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piccione
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D007558:Italy; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary*; D010805:Physical Conditioning, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D006242:Haptoglobins; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
keywords: Acute phase proteins; dogs; hunting; white blood cells