USE OF SURFACTANTS IN CATTLE AND SWINE

Abstract

Many questions have been raised about the protein-surfactant interconnection. Surfactant-protein interconnections are very common in the area of veterinary medicine, zootechnics, among others. Certainly, several aspects of this interconnection have been studied, such as the influence of the aggregation state of the surfactant (monomer, pre-micellar aggregate, micelle and liposome) on the protein structure, the properties of the surfactant-protein system, the characterization of the sites of interconnection on the protein surface, the identification of intermediate protein conformations, etc. The interconnection of different types of proteins with different surfactant species can offer various information for the research of biochemical and biophysical systems, such as the structure-activity relationship of proteins as well as the mechanism of interaction between proteins and amphiphilic molecules. Its use to treat respiratory and fetal diseases in cattle and pigs is extremely important for the well-being of livestock, however little discussed when compared to human medical literature. Thus, we hope to contribute to the dissemination of this topic and increase its usability.