| Material | Serum or heparin plasma 0.5 ml;
Ejaculate or sperm-rich fraction 0.5 ml (dog only) |
| Method | Photometry |
| Duration | Reporting of results on the day the sample is received (Mon–Sat) |
| Remark | - The enzyme is present in almost all organs. AP is diagnostically relevant in diseases of the skeletal and the hepatobiliary system. In dogs, there is also a steroid-induced isoform, which is mainly used to diagnose hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s syndrome).
- Bone diseases: High serum AP concentrations occur in osteitis deformans and allow differentiation from osteoporosis. In bone tumours, the increase in concentration correlates with osteoblast activity (very high levels in osteosarcoma, low levels in benign tumours). Elevated serum AP concentrations along with low calcium concentrations are found in cases of rachitis and osteomalacia.
- Hepatobiliary system: Elevated serum AP concentrations may indicate cholestasis
- Young animals: physiological concentration in serum up to 2.5-fold
- Dog (serum): Corticosteroid-induced AP can be diagnosed by determining the heat-stable isoenzyme (see service: heat-stable Alkaline Phosphatase).
- Dog (ejaculate): AP is determined from the sperm-rich fraction and mainly originates from the epididymis. Measuring the AP level in ejaculate can make it easier to differentiate between testicularrelated oligo-/azoospermia and inadequate ejaculation or obstructive azoospermia. This test can be requested online using a dedicated service number (service ID 53) or, for the printed submission form, via “Other parameters”.
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