Determination of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in healthy beagle dogs of various ages and pregnant beagle dogs

Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in healthy beagle dogs of various ages and in pregnant beagles were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum CRP concentrations were 1.5-16.0 mug/ml (mean 7.9 +/- 3.4 mug/ml) in male, and 1.8-18.9 mug/ml (mean 8.3 +/- 4.0 mug/ml) in female dogs. No significant sex-related differences were observed in the values. Further, there were no significant age-related differences either. Serum CRP concentrations increased during pregnancy. The concentration of serum CRP in pregnant dogs peaked at 70.2-90.4 mug/ml (mean 77.5 +/- 7.1 mug/ml) 30 or 45 days after ovulation, demonstrating two characteristic features of CRP concentration change in pregnant dogs.