Hooijberg, Emma HenrietteMiller, MicheleCray, CarolynBuss, Peter ErikSteenkamp, GerhardusGoddard, Amelia2019-03-082019-03-082018-07-25Hooijberg EH, Miller M, Cray C, Buss P, Steenkamp G, Goddard A (2018) Serum protein electrophoresis in healthy and injured southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). PLoS ONE 13(7): e0200347. https://DOI.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200347.1932-6203 (online)10.1371/journal.pone.0200347http://hdl.handle.net/2263/68621S1 Text. Methods. Detailed liquid chromatography±mass spectrometry method description.S1 Table. Rhinoceros data. Raw SPE data and clinical information for healthy and injured rhinoceros.S2 Table. Proteomic results. Detailed information for the proteins identified in the alpha1b and alpha2 bands.Investigation of globulin fractions by serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) is the first step towards evaluation of the proteome in the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum). Furthermore, identification of changes in globulins in animals with poaching and other injuries can guide discovery of potentially useful biomarkers of inflammation. The aim of this study was to develop reference intervals for agarose gel SPE in healthy white rhinoceros and to compare these serum protein electrophoresis results to those from animals with tissue trauma. Reference intervals for total serum protein and agarose gel electrophoretic albumin and globulin fractions were generated using serum samples from 49 healthy freeranging adult white rhinoceros. A standardised gating system together with identification of specific proteins by mass spectrometry aided in fraction identification. Six globulin fractions were identified: α1a, α1b, α2, β1, β2 and γ. Reference intervals were generated for total serum protein (76±111 g/L), albumin (10±27 g/L) and globulin fractions (α1a: 1.6±3.2 g/L; α1b: 1.7±3.6 g/L; α2: 16.1±26.6 g/L; β1: 6.6±18.2 g/L; β2: 11.8±30.4 g/L; γ: 10.4±23.1 g/L; albumin: globulin ratio: 0.12±0.39). Results were compared to those from 30 animals with various degrees and chronicities of tissue trauma. Wounded animals had lower concentrations of total serum protein, albumin, total globulin, α and β1 globulins, lower percentages of α2 and β1 globulins, and higher percentages of β2 and γ globulins. These protein changes are similar to those seen in human patients with wounds rather than classic acute phase or chronic inflammatory responses.en© 2018 Hooijberg et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.Globulin fractionsSerum samplesAlbuminAlpha 1a globulinAlpha 1b globulinAlpha 2 globulinBeta globulinImmunoglobulinPlasma proteinProteomeUnclassified drugAgar gel electrophoresisBlood samplingChronicityEcological proceduresInflammationInjury severityMass spectrometryPlacental mammalPoachingProtein blood levelProtein electrophoresisProteomicsStandardizationTissue injuryWhite rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)Serum protein electrophoresis (SPE)Veterinary science articles SDG-15SDG-15: Life on landArticle