Influence of sex and age on serum total immunoglobulin E concentration in Beagles
Racine, B.P.; Marti, E.; Busato, A.; Weilenmann, R.; Lazary, S.; Griot-Wenk, M.E.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 60(1): 93-97
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 9918154 Document Number: 508694
An ELISA for detecting serum total IgE concentration was developed and tested in a dog colony of 147 healthy Beagles (31 males and 116 females). 2 canine IgE-specific polyclonal antibodies elicited by 2 recombinant fragments of the epsilon chain in hens were used to develop a capture ELISA specific for serum total IgE concentration. The IgE values were calculated by comparing serum dose-response curves (1:50 to 1:6400) with a reference serum pool assigned 100 relative ELISA units (REU). Mean IgE concentration in female Beagles was 51.2 REU (range, 0 to 337.8 REU; median, 31.4 REU), whereas mean IgE concentration in male dogs was only 7.5 REU (range, 0 to 32.6 REU; mean, 3.6 REU). Distribution of IgE values was skewed; approximately 80% of dogs had IgE values < 50 REU. Analysis of natural logarithmically transformed IgE values indicated that sex and age significantly influenced IgE values; mean serum IgE values increased until the age of 4 years. Heritability estimates of IgE concentration indicated a trend toward a genetic influence. A reliable capture ELISA specific for canine IgE was developed. Serum total IgE values vary with age and sex in the sample population. It is concluded that serum total IgE concentration can be evaluated in various dog breeds and, subsequently, in dogs with IgE-mediated diseases provided that these significant influences are accounted for. Serum total IgE values may prove to be of diagnostic value, similar to their use in human beings.