The value of plasma fibrinogen estimations in cattle: A comparison with total leucocyte and neutrophil counts

Abstract

Extract

Fibrinogen is one of the major protein constituents of blood plasma. It has the largest molecular weight of the plasma proteins (approximately 330 000), is produced solely in the liver, and is classed as a globulin (Putnam, 1960; Adelson, 1968). The main function of fibrinogen is its role in the clotting of blood(see Laki, 1968), but it has been shown that increased plasma levels can occur in inflammatory states, not only when clinical disease, is obvious, but also when a subclinical condition exists (Kaneko and Smith, 1967; Schalm, 1970a, b; Schalm et al., 1970: McSherry et al., 1970). The recent development of a quick and simple technique for its estimation has now made it possible for fibrinogen levels to be measured as part of the routine haemogram (Kaneko and Smith, 1967).