Ann. Méd. Vét., 2005, 149 (4), pp 213-228 Bovine pepsinogen and prochymosin : current knowledge, applications and outlines in the management of gastrointestinal worms.SIDIKOU I.D., REMY B., HORNICK J.L., LOSSON B., DUQUESNOY N.Abstract :
The characterization of the gastric aspartic proteases and the understanding of their mechanisms
of activation led to several applications in many domains as the use of chymosin in cheese industries and the diagnostic of
gastric diseases in humans and animals. Particularly, in cattle, the indirect measurement of pepsinogen
activity is largely used for the diagnosis of ostertagiosis.
Today, the gastric strongyloses are
responsible for serious problems of management or the emergence of parasites resistance towards
antihelminthics, and no immediate
solution is available. Nevertheless, several tracks are proposed such
as a more rational use of antihelminthics
by the study of blood pepsinogen. This approach held our attention.
The present review describes bovine pepsinogen and prochymosin, with an accent on the zymogen structure, their
mechanisms of activation and the methods of blood levels measurement. The manuscript will end on the importance of the problems raised by gastric worms, and on the interest of the
measurement of blood pepsinogen in the management of these diseases in cattle. Get the PDF Contact person : jfbeckers@ulg.ac.be |