Levels of alpha2 pregnancy-associated glycoprotein in maternal circulation during pregnancy in the mink

Abstract

This is the first demonstration of α2-pregnancy-associated glycoprotein ( α2-PAG) in the mink. Mink α2-PAG exhibits complete immunological cross reaction with dog α2-PAG when analysed in assays employing antisera against canine α2-PAG raised in rabbits. Alpha2-PAG was quantitated by rocket immunoelectrophoresis in heparin plasma samples obtained from the peripheral circulation of mink during the breeding season. The plasma levels recorded in male mink were significantly lower (23 AU/ml) than the levels recorded in females at any stage of the breeding period. Very early in the breeding season and 2 weeks after delivery the α2-PAG levels were high (>200 AU/ml) in the circulation of the female mink. Like α2-PAG in the pregnant bitch, mink α2-PAG concentrations reach a local maximum in mid-pregnancy, and a local minimum at term.