Blood Plasma Proteins in Fetal Goats and Sheep. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Electrophoretic separation of fetal and maternal plasma proteins in goats and sheep revealed that the fetal plasma lacks γ-globulins and exhibits an additional peak in the area of α₁-globulins. This peak probably corresponds to fetuin. Quantitative conditions of fetal plasma proteins seem to depend largely on age of the fetus. In goats, the percentage of total plasma proteins and of plasma albumin increases; percentage of fetuin decreases with the progressing age of the fetus. The remaining plasma proteins do not seem to be affected. In fetal sheep the percentages of total plasma proteins, plasma albumin and probably of β-globulins increase; levels of fetuin and α₁-globulins decrease with age. The percentage of α₂-globulins remains unaffected.