Development and comparison of assays for measuring immunospecific antibody response in serum of chickens and rabbits immunized with human immunoglobulin G

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The antibody response development during polyclonal antibody production is a relevant parameter to monitor during the immunization period to be able to optimize the immunization protocol and to determine the optimal antibody harvest time. Although rabbits and other mammals are most often used for polyclonal antibody production, the chicken is a relevant alternative. There are both scientific reasons, economic reasons, and animal welfare reasons to consider when choosing the chicken instead of a mammal for this purpose, because antibodies ingenerous quantities can be harvested from the egg yolk. This study compared different assays for measuring antibody response in rabbit and chicken serum. An inhibition liquid phase absorption assay (ILPAA), a rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE) assay, and a line immunoelectrophoresis (LIE) assay were compared to ELISAs. The ELISA proved to be the most useful assay for routine use, as it was less time-consuming and because the assay could easily be adapted to both serum antibody types. However, electrophoretic assays were the most useful as combined analytical and quantitative tools and must be considered essential when analyzing specificities of polyclonal antibody preparations.

Original languageEnglish
JournalElectrophoresis
Volume19
Issue number14
Pages (from-to)2419-2422
Number of pages4
ISSN0173-0835
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 1998

    Research areas

  • Chicken antibodies, Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, Line immunoelectrophoresis, Rabbit antibodies, Rocket immunoelectrophoresis

ID: 369374850