Serum proteins in undernourished sinclair (S-1) miniature swine

1. Sinclair(S-1) miniature swine were fed ad libitum either a 16% (control) or a 4% (undernourished) protein diet from 9 weeks of age until sacrificed. Two males and 2 females, from each dietary group, were sacrificed after 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 or 32 weeks on test. Also, 2 males and 2 females were sacrificed at the initiation of the experiment. Serum total protein, albumin, α-globulin, β-globulin, γ-globulin, glutamic-oxaloacetic (OT) transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were assayed from blood samples collected biweekly. 2. For the undernourished pigs, mean serum total protein and albumin concentrations decreased initially; however, levels stabilized later in the study. Mean serum total protein and albumin concentrations were lower for the undernourished pigs than for the controls from 2 through 32 weeks. 3. From 4 through 32 weeks on test, the undernourished pigs had more serum total globulin, as a per cent of total protein, than did the control pigs. Mean serum β-globulin concentration was lower for the pigs fed the low protein diet than for the controls; however, there was no difference in mean per cent β-globulin between the 2 groups. From 8 through 32 weeks on test, mean OT and LDH activities were greater for undernourished than for the control pigs; however, there were no differences in mean serum AP activities between the 2 groups.