Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 25 ( 1990 ) 155-166 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands
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Humoral I m m u n i t y in the E w e 2. The Effect of P r e g n a n c y on the P r i m a r y and S e c o n d a r y Antibody Response to Protein Antigen G.E. REYNOLDS and J.F.T. GRIFFIN
Microbiology Department, University of Otago, Dunedin (New Zealand) (Accepted 14 November 1989 }
ABSTRACT Reynolds, G.E. and Griffin, J.F.T., 1990. Humoral immunity in the ewe. 2. The effect of pregnancy on the primary and secondary antibody response to protein antigen. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol., 25: 155-166. This study examines the effect of pregnancy on the quantity and isotype of antibody in ewes immunised with a novel primary antigen. The primary and secondary antibody levels to bovine serum albumin (BSA) in alum adjuvant, were compared between non-pregnant ewes and ewes immunised at different stages of pregnancy. Anti-BSA isotype specific responses were measured using an indirect ELISA. Results show the levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) increased and persisted in response to BSA during pregnancy (P < 0.05 ). Secondary immunoglobulinG 1 {IgG 1 ) titres were significantly impaired in late pregnancy and during lactation {P
155
Humoral I m m u n i t y in the E w e 2. The Effect of P r e g n a n c y on the P r i m a r y and S e c o n d a r y Antibody Response to Protein Antigen G.E. REYNOLDS and J.F.T. GRIFFIN
Microbiology Department, University of Otago, Dunedin (New Zealand) (Accepted 14 November 1989 }
ABSTRACT Reynolds, G.E. and Griffin, J.F.T., 1990. Humoral immunity in the ewe. 2. The effect of pregnancy on the primary and secondary antibody response to protein antigen. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol., 25: 155-166. This study examines the effect of pregnancy on the quantity and isotype of antibody in ewes immunised with a novel primary antigen. The primary and secondary antibody levels to bovine serum albumin (BSA) in alum adjuvant, were compared between non-pregnant ewes and ewes immunised at different stages of pregnancy. Anti-BSA isotype specific responses were measured using an indirect ELISA. Results show the levels of immunoglobulin M (IgM) increased and persisted in response to BSA during pregnancy (P < 0.05 ). Secondary immunoglobulinG 1 {IgG 1 ) titres were significantly impaired in late pregnancy and during lactation {P
