Effect of Hepatic Diseases on Serum Protein Electrophoresis in Goats

This study was carried out to show the effect of some liver affections on blood serum proteins in goats using cellulose acetate scanning electrophoresis.
Twenty four blood samples were collected from male goats (10 – 12 months old) showed emaciation, lack of appetence, poor growth and edema . in addition to 10 healthy age matching male goats as a control group.
After slaughtering, examined goats were classified according to gross pathological investigation of liver affections into 3 groups as following:
Group (I): consisted of 10 goats and suffered from Chronic cholangio-hepatitis was characterized by localized partially fibrous peri-hepatitis with slightly fibrosed bile ducts and the gall bladder was enlarged. Biochemical analysis showedan elevation in total proteins, β-region and total globulins , reduction in albumin and ratio of albumin to globulin 
 Group ( II) : consisted of 7 goats and  suffered from  liver abscesses  which ranged from lemon to orange in size, either embedded or raised from the hepatic surface with hemorrhagic surroundings. Biochemical analysis showed an elevation in α-, β- and γ-region and total globulins , reduction in of albumin to globulin  ratio .
Group (III): consisted of 7 goats and suffered from liver cirrhosis, the liver had lobulated irregular surface, pale and firm with enlarged fibroses gall bladder. Biochemical analysis showed an elevation in total globulins, reduction in total proteins, albumin, α- ,β-region and  ratio of albumin to globulin  .
It can be concluded that the electrophoretic pattern of serum protein is changed according to the type of liver disease. Also, goats in which the liver can synthesize serum albumin, α and/ or β-globulins have a probable fairly good prognosis as it represents chronic cholangio-hepatitis or hepatic abscesses. On the other hand, those with reduced albumin, α and β-globulins as in liver cirrhosis, the prognosis is probably poor.