Page 2673 - Cote clinical veterinary advisor dogs and cats 4th

Progesterone Protein Electrophoresis 1375

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marked leukocytosis or reticulocytosis; activation-induced K release makes sampling in an alkalotic animal suggests increased
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total body K .
incomplete separation of plasma. Drawing into heparin (green top tube) and separation • Hemolysis alone rarely causes artifactual
VetBooks.ir dilute sample, resulting in false decrease. Use Relative Cost: $ hyperkalemia, and when it does, the patient
of plasma from red cells preferable.
blood through an intravenous catheter may
of lavender top tubes (K 3 EDTA anticoagulant)
is generally of a breed that has unusually
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causes false increase. Severe lipemia can cause
mild hypokalemia on standard chemistry panels. Pearls high intra-RBC K stores (e.g., Asian dog
breeds).
• Assess the acid-base status of hypokalemic/
Specimen Collection and Handling hyperkalemic animals. AUTHOR: Deborah G. Davis, DVM, DACVP
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Serum (red top tube); K remains stable • Normal K levels in the presence of metabolic EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP
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for extended periods of time, but platelet acidemia suggest low K stores. Normal K
Progesterone

Definition Causes of Abnormally High Levels Drug Effects
Steroid hormone secreted by corpora lutea of Developing corpora lutea followed by pregnancy; Minimal interference by deoxycortisol, deoxy-
the ovaries and by the placenta residual ovarian tissue in a patient thought to have cortisone, and dihydroprogesterone
been spayed; luteal cysts; granulosa cell tumor
Physiology Lab Artifacts
Progesterone is secreted by the cells of devel- Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider Falsely decreased with storage at room tem-
oping corpus luteum, the presence of which if Levels are High perature or delay in separation of serum or
indicates pregnancy, diestrus, or an ovarian Confirm the presence of ovarian abnormalities plasma from red blood cells (separation should
lesion (e.g., cyst or neoplasm). Concentrations (e.g., abdominal ultrasound) if not evaluating be performed immediately); lipemia interference
greater than those of anestrus (i.e., >2 ng/mL) a breeding bitch. if measured by chemiluminescence; use of serum
are used for predicting time of ovulation in separator tubes falsely decreases values
bitches. Progesterone, secreted by the placenta, Causes of Abnormally Low Levels
is needed to maintain pregnancy. Decreasing Depends on stage of cycle; may indicate normal Specimen Collection and Handling
progesterone concentrations (<2 ng/mL) anestrus or failure to ovulate, failure to become Depends on the laboratory; serum (red top
usually indicate impending parturition (within pregnant or maintain pregnancy, or impending tube) or heparinized (green top tube) or EDTA
24 hours). parturition plasma (lavender top tube) may be used. Do
not use serum separator tubes. Separate serum
Reference Interval Next Diagnostic Steps to Consider or plasma from red blood cells immediately.
• Anestrus/proestrus: < 1.0 ng/mL if Levels are Low May store at 2°C-8°C for up to 7 days; frozen
• Pre-LH surge: 1.0-1.9 ng/mL Evaluate for causes of infertility or abortion if for 3 months. Laboratory Tests
• LH surge (24-48 hours preovulation): 2.0- repeated failure to maintain pregnancy.
3.0 ng/mL Relative Cost: $$
• Post-LH surge, preovulation: 3.1-4.9 ng/mL Important Interspecies Differences
• Ovulation: 5.0-12.0 ng/mL Test used primarily in dogs; not used in cats AUTHOR & EDITOR: Lois Roth-Johnson, DVM, PhD,
DACVP
• Diestrus: > 12 ng/mL because they are induced ovulators

Protein Electrophoresis

Definition beta and gamma globulins each have two Reference Interval
Qualitative and quantitative determination fractions. Albumin is the largest fraction in
of proteins, typically measured in serum but healthy animals. The alpha 1 globulin fraction Dogs Cats
may also be performed on cerebrospinal fluid primarily contains acute-phase proteins. The
or urine. Proteins separate into groups (frac- alpha 2 globulin and beta globulin fractions alpha1 0.2-0.5 g/dL 0.2-1.1 g/dL
tions) based on their rate of migration in an contain acute-phase proteins, lipoproteins, and alpha2 0.3-1.1 g/dL 0.4-0.9 g/dL
electric field. Protein charge and size determine some immunoglobulins. The gamma globulin beta1 0.6-1.2 g/dL 0.3-0.9 g/dL
migration rate. fraction contains immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG,
and IgM. Increased gamma globulins appear beta2 0.6-1.4 g/dL 0.6-1.0 g/dL
Physiology on the electrophoresis tracing as a broad-based gamma1 0.5-1.3 g/dL 0.6-1.0 g/dL
The five major fractions of soluble body peak (polyclonal) or a single narrow peak gamma2 0.4-0.9 g/dL 1.4-1.9 g/dL
proteins are albumin and the four globulin (monoclonal).
fractions: alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma; Unit conversion: g/dL × 10 = mg/mL

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