The acute phase response was evaluated by determining the concentration of acute phase proteins (APP) in blood serum and peritoneal fluid in ten equines submitted to orchiectomy blood and peritoneal fluid samples were collected before the orchiectomy procedure (T0) and daily until the sixth postoperative day (T1-T6). The APPs were separated by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel containing SDS - PAGE and their concentrations were determined by computerized densitometry. There were identified in serum and peritoneal fluid, during pre and postoperative period, the acute phase proteins: ceruloplasmin, transferrin, albumin, haptoglobin and α1-acid glycoprotein. Postoperatively, there were changes in serum and peritoneal APPs, which were associated with the inflammatory response induced by surgical trauma. The orchiectomy triggers inflammatory reaction in equines and the proteinogram can be used to diagnose and monitor the postoperative complications
castration; acute phase response; electrophoresis; horses
