Concentration of proteins and protein fractions in blood plasma of chickens hatched from eggs irradiated with low dose gamma radiation

This study was performed to investigate the effect of egg irradiation by low dose gamma rays on the concentration of total proteins and protein fractions in the blood plasma of chickens hatched from irradiated eggs. The eggs of heavy breed chickens were irradiated with a dose of 0.15 Gy gamma-rays (Co-60) before incubation. Blood samples were taken from the right jugular vein on the 1st and 3rd days, or from the wing vein on day 7 after hatching. The total protein concentrations in the blood plasma was determined by the biuret method using Boehringer Mannheim GmbH optimized kits. The protein fractions (albumin, alpha 1-globulin, alpha 2-globulin, beta- and gamma- globulins) were estimated electrophoretically on cellulose acetate strips. The total protein concentration was significantly decreased in the blood plasma of chickens hatched from irradiated eggs on days 3 (P<0.05) and 7 (P<0.001). The albumin concentration in the blood plasma of chickens hatched from irradiated eggs was significantly decreased on the 7th day (P<0.001), and the concentration of alpha 2-globulin was decreased on days 1 (P<0.05) and 7 (P<0.001). beta- and gamma-globulins concentration was significantly decreased on the 7th day of life (P<0.05). The obtained results indicate that a low dose of gamma radiation has an inhibitory effect upon the concentration of total proteins and protein fractions in the blood plasma of chickens hatched from irradiated eggs before incubation, during the first week of their life.