ABSTRACT
In practical terms, heparinized blood is collected from the test animal and from one or two control animals that are closely age and breed matched for comparative purposes. Although the test can be performed with whole unfractionated blood, it is best to separate the mononuclear cell fraction from the
period. Recently, commercial assays for the detection of animal cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α, have become available. A newer bead-based technology for multiplex detection of canine cytokine protein is used increasingly. An alternative means of evaluating cytokine protein production within a fluid sample is the bioassay. This test measures the ability of cytokine within the sample to support the growth and division of an indicator cell line that has an absolute requirement for that cytokine for maintained growth.
