Changes in Specific Blood Serum Protein Levels Associated with Parturition in the Bovine

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Abstract
Starting about 14 weeks before parturition, the level of serum proteins in the blood of the bovine started increasing to reach a maximum about 4 weeks before parturition and then started decreasing to reach a minimum at parturition. The drop at parturition was caused by a loss of immune [beta]2- and [gamma]1-globulins and some [beta]-globulins from the blood; the level of serum albumin and the [beta]1- and [gamma]2-globulins did not change appreciably. The drop corresponded with the time the colostrum was being formed in the mammary gland.