Is collagenolytic activity present in the blood of ruminants?

In the present study, collagenolytic activity was investigated in two separate experiments using blood plasma or serum. Two separate experiments were conducted at different times. The first experiment involved the analysis of blood plasma from 16 rams, 6 goat bucks, and 3 lactating cows. The rams and goat bucks were randomly divided into two equal heads groups (control and treated), and they did not exhibit any sexual problems. In the second experiment, twelve calves (5 males and 7 females) with a mean age 152 days, and weight of 128 kg, were selected and randomly divided into two groups. One group received a total mixed ration (TMR) plus a feed block (22 kg weight), while the other group received only TMR. Blood serum from all calves was utilized for collagenolytic activity. Bovine Achilles' tendon collagen served as the substrate for measuring collagenolytic activity, while hydroxyproline (HYP) was employed as a product for activity measurement. The results revealed the presence of the enzyme(s) in the blood samples of all the experimental animals, albeit at varying levels of activity. It was observed that the activity was significantly inhibited by cupric sulfate as a metal ion. Furthermore, notable positive and significant correlations were found between the daily gain of sheep and collagenolytic activity in blood samples, while negative correlations were observed between the age of the calves and collagenolytic activity. These results supported the hypothesis that enzyme activity is associated with growth. The results revealed the presence of the enzyme(s) in the blood samples of all the experimental animals, albeit at varying levels of activity. It was observed that the activity was significantly inhibited by cupric sulfate as a metal ion. Furthermore, notable positive and significant correlations were found between the daily gain of sheep and collagenolytic activity in blood samples, while negative correlations were observed between the age of the calves and collagenolytic activity. These results supported the hypothesis that enzyme activity is associated with growth.