Changes of two-dimensional electrophoretic patterns of plasma proteins with maximum exercises in young Thoroughbred horses.

For research on the changes of protein composition in equine plasma with exercise, two-dimensional gel electrophoretic (2-DE) patterns of plasma protein in 16 2 year old thoroughbred horses were made compared before and after maximum exercise over 1,000m: at 913±6.5m/min. The proteins from plasma were stained with coomassie brilliant blue. Haptoglobin (Hp), haemoglobin (Hb) and Hb binding Hp in plasma were detected by using anti human Hp serum, anti equine Hb serum and 2,7-diamino-floureine, respectively. Results were as follows; 1) Exercise did not change 2-DE pattern of any plasma proteins except for Hp and Hb. 2) Exercise decreased the content of a Hb free Hp spot, and increased the content of two spots which comprise Hb binding Hp and Hb binding Hp on 2-DE pattern in plasma from all but one horse. 3) In plasma from a Hp deficient horse, exercise increased the content of free Hb spots. These results suggest that exercise accelerates the release of free Hb from red cells (haemolysis) into plasma, and that Hp has an essential function for the collection of free Hb in plasma.