Specifications

  • Assay Type Activity Assay
  • Sample Types Serum, Urine
  • Sensitivity 3.26 mU/mL
  • Species Mammalian Species
  • Assay Duration 1 Hour
  • Samples/Plate 41 in Duplicate
  • Readout Colorimetric, 560 nm
  • Standard Curve
  • Description

    Ceruloplasmin (Cp) is an acute phase multicopper oxidase enzyme that normally plays a protective role in responses to immune-provoking stimuli and is also associated with reproduction. Estrogens alter the subcellular distribution of copper in the liver, leading to an increase in plasma copper levels and subsequent ceruloplasmin synthesis. Serum levels of Cp have been shown to increase during normal pregnancy in some species, possibly as a protection against the oxidative costs of reproduction. In giant pandas and some felids, urinary Cp activity has shown to be elevated in pregnant vs. pseudopregnant animals beginning in the first week of gestation and continuing throughout the luteal phase.