Validation of an assay for quantification of alpha-amylase in saliva of sheep.
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop a time-resolved immunofluorometric assay (TR-IFMA) for quantification of salivary alpha-amylase in sheep. For that purpose, after the design of the assay, an analytical and a clinical validation were carried out. The analytical validation of the assay showed intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation (CVs) of 6.1% and 10.57%, respectively and an analytical limit of detection of 0.09 ng/mL. The assay also demonstrated a high level of accuracy, as determined by linearity under dilution. For clinical validation, a model of acute stress testing was conducted to determine whether expected significant changes in alpha-amylase were picked up in the newly developed assay. In that model, 11 sheep were immobilized and confronted with a sheepdog to induce stress. Saliva samples were obtained before stress induction and 15, 30, and 60 min afterwards. Salivary cortisol was measured as a reference of stress level. The results of TR-IFMA showed a significant increase (P < 0.01) in the concentration of alpha-amylase in saliva after stress induction. The assay developed in this study could be used to measure salivary alpha-amylase in the saliva of sheep and this enzyme could be a possible noninvasive biomarker of stress in sheep.
Source: PubMed
Authors: Maria Fuentes-Rubio, Francisco Fuentes, Julio Otal, Alberto Quiles, María Luisa Hevia
Institution: Universidad de Murcia
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2498535023