Quantification of Angora goat beta chain haemoglobin variants using the Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex-Piercing system

This study aimed to evaluate the utility of the Sebia Capillarys 2 Flex-Piercing (C2FP) system for the quantification of the major caprine beta chain haemoglobin (Hb) variants, i.e. foetal Hb, neonatal Hb, and adult Hb. Blood samples were collected from six Angora kids at one, 11, and 20 weeks after birth, and analysed using the C2FP instrument and Capillarys Hemoglobin(E) kit. Electropherograms displayed three major peaks which showed consistent changes in relative magnitude as kids aged. At one week old, a peak at position ~75 was identified as foetal Hb, while in older animals, peaks at ~150 and ~170 were identified as neonatal Hb and adult Hb, respectively. In conclusion, this study has confirmed the utility of the Sebia C2FP system for the simple, rapid, and standardised quantification of the major beta chain Hb variants of Angora goats.