Abstract

The functional state of the gastrointestinal tract is a key factor determining farm animals’ overall health and
productivity. This review focuses on the S100 calgranulin subfamily (S100A8, S100A9, and S100A12) from its
historical discovery, biological functions, and potential clinical diagnostic application in cattle. A systematic literature
search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
guidelines across major scientific databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science), covering the
period from 1965 to 2025. А comprehensive comparative profile was compiled, mapping calgranulin data across
cattle, pigs, and horses. The analysis demonstrates a significant elevation of calprotectin (S100A8/S100A9) in neonatal
calves with diarrhea, indicating high non-invasive diagnostic potential. However, the review highlights a severe lack of
standardized species-specific sensitivity and specificity metrics as a major current limitation. Integrating fundamental
molecular insights with optimized diagnostic algorithms represents a critical direction for enabling timely and effective
gastrointestinal monitoring in future veterinary clinical trials.

Key words: Calgranulins; Calprotectin; Cattle; Diarrhea; Inflammation.