ABSTRACT
The plasmic proteinograms got in agar-gel with adult subjects of three species of weavers offer clear similitude to each other and allow only very unusually a separation of the three species. Intraspecific variations in the three species appear on the level of zones a-b-c-d (alpha-globulins). None of these variations could be referred to a particular physiologic state. In the young weavers, we don't meet the beta-gamma-globulins h-i again. In those, the proteins concentration is very low and the haematocrit not very high. The two haemoglobinic fractions are lowly concentrated. Their relative concentration are in relation inverse to the concentrations observed in the grown-up subjects.
Subject(s)
Birds/blood , Blood Proteins/analysis , Aging , Animals , Electrophoresis, Agar Gel , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
The blood plasma of Spermestes c. cucullatus (Swainson) analysed electrophoretically on agar shows seven fractions. Immunoelectrophoresis against an antispermestes rabbit serum reveals 16 fractions. Individual variation of the plasma protein fractions is very low, as is also the case for the mobility of the fractions. With age, the alpha-globulins disappear gradually. In the newly hatched bird, the protein variations are more pronounced than in adults. Most important are the lower relative content of albumin and a corresponding relatively higher content of beta- and gamma-globulins. There seems to exist a slight sexual dimorphism in albumin level, which is higher in males than in females. During the reproduction period, both sexes show a fall of the relative concentration of albumin. Injections of gonadotropine hormone produce an increase of the plasma-proteins level and a marked decrease of the relative concentration of albumin. The overall figure is comparable with that of birds in natural breeding condition.
