A blood sample (2.5 mL) was collected from each cat at biweekly
intervals up to wk 18 and at wk 26. The blood samples were
subjected to -tocopherol, lymphocyte proliferation to concanavalin
A (Con A), red blood cell hydrogen peroxide hemolysis (RBCH), the
ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), triglycerides and alkaline
phosphatase analyses. Plasma -tocopherol RBCH analysis and whole
blood lymphocyte proliferation to Con A were similar to procedures
previously described (6–8), with minor modifications. The FRAP was
determined by a previously described method (9). Plasma alkaline
phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1) and triglycerides were determined using
commercially available kits (Roche Products NZ, Auckland, New
Zealand).