Kinetics of IgY formation after immunisation of hens with different protein antigens

Abstract

Hens (White Leghorn) were immunised with different protein antigens, and antibodies were isolated from eggs by PEG precipitation. To determine experimental conditions under which optimal antibody titres are reached the antigen dose and the mode of application were varied. Injecting the antigen three times every four weeks in the absence of adjuvant led to a phase like immune response. A plateau of the antibody titre was only reached when immunisation was carried out in the presence of adjuvant. Antibody titres obtained from mammalian sera are equally high as those obtained from hen eggs. To label isolated IgY preparations with horse radish peroxidase no further purification or concentration steps are necessary.