Bile acid assay

Bile acids are endogenous compounds derived from cholesterol, secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. They play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats by facilitating lipid emulsification and transport. Their measurement is a key analytical tool, particularly in animal health, for assessing liver function, digestion, and the quality of veterinary and nutritional formulations.

Importance of bile acid measurement

Bile acid analysis is essential for several reasons:

• Animal health: evaluation of liver metabolism and the digestive system in different species (ruminants, poultry, companion animals).
• Veterinary formulations: control of bile acid concentration in products intended to improve digestion or support liver function.
• Nutrition and supplements: standardization of fortified products, quality control of extracts and supplements intended for digestive regulation.
• Scientific research: metabolic studies or biomarkers of liver diseases.

Analytical techniques used

Bile acid levels are measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or by chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS, LC-MS/MS). These methods allow for:

• an efficient separation of the different bile acids (cholic acid, chenodeoxycholic acid, deoxycholic acid, etc.),
• precise and sensitive quantification, even at trace levels,
• adaptability to complex matrices, such as animal extracts or complete formulations.

Affected matrices

The test can be applied to a wide range of samples:

• animal extracts (liver, bile, serum),
• veterinary products and specific formulations,
• Dietary supplements for digestion
• raw materials derived from animal nutrition.

Industrial and scientific applications

Bile acid testing is commonly used in several contexts:

• Animal health: clinical monitoring, assessment of digestive or hepatic disorders,
• Veterinary industry: quality control of formulations enriched with bile acids or extracts for digestive purposes,
• Nutraceutical industry: valorization of natural ingredients targeting digestion and lipid metabolism,
• Research and development: identification of biomarkers in animal metabolic studies.

Additional analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

Bile acid testing can be combined with other analyses useful for animal health and nutrition:

• Urea assay for the evaluation of non-protein nitrogen,
• Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) assay for monitoring oxidative stress,
• Assay of amino nitrogen for the evaluation of proteins and amino acids,
• TBARS assay to measure lipid oxidation.

YesWeLab Expertise

At YesWeLab, we work with a network of rigorously selected partner laboratories, the majority of which are ISO 17025 and COFRAC certified and/or accredited. We choose laboratories based on your specific needs, the matrices to be analyzed, and the required analytical methods. Our digital platform allows you to centralize your requests, track the shipment and analysis of your samples, and obtain your results quickly and securely.