Age Related Changes in Plasma Proteins of the Fetal Goat

Abstract

Changes in the protein composition of the fetal plasma of the goat as related to the age of the fetus were followed by means of paper electrophoresis. Five protein peaks could be distinguished and they were tentatively marked as albumin, fetuin, alpha₁, alpha₂ and beta globulins. Practically no gamma globulins were detected. The plasma albumin relative concentration increased from 6% on the 46th day to 45% on the 135th day of gestation. The relative fetuin content decreased with the advancing age of the fetus. The percentage of alpha₁, alpha₂ and beta globulins did not change significantly during fetal development.