Increase in C-reactive protein in the serum of piglets (pCRP) following ACTH or corticosteroid administration.

A new isolation procedure for porcine C-reactive protein (pCRP) by affinity chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography is described. Antisera against this protein were raised in rabbits. Immunochemical methods indicate a close immunological relationship of pCRP to human CRP (hCRP). The molecular weight of one subunit of pCRP was determined to be 23,400 Da by SDS-PAGE. Measurements of serum concentration of pCRP by competitive ligand assay and radial immunodiffusion showed a good correlation. Normal values of healthy pigs, kept under good conditions, were 8.35 mg/l with a normal range up to 16.8 mg/l (3 x SD). ACTH or prednisolone were applicated to piglets daily for a period of 2 weeks and the pCRP concentration in serum was measured. There was a strong pCRP elevation during the application period in comparison to a control group. When the stimulus disappeared, the values declined to normal. In the absence of infections and inflammations, the pCRP appears to be a valuable parameter for following the effects of stress on animals.