Abstract
Adult chickens were hyperimmunized with group A streptococcal vaccine in an attempt to elicit the formation of high levels of antibody of restricted heterogeneity. All birds produced precipitating antibody after 3 weeks of immunization. The highest concentration was ∼8.6 mg/ml. After 6 weeks of immunization the highest level was ∼13 mg/ml and even after 6 weeks most birds had both IgM and IgY. Approximately 10% of specifically purified antibody preparations contained some IgA. In each case this was associated with the macroglobulin fraction of Sephadex G-200. Of the 37 different antibody preparations examined only ∼5% (two IgM preparations) showed a clear restriction in L chain heterogeneity. These data indicate that like rabbits and sharks, chickens can produce high levels of antibody to a group A streptococcal carbohydrate with some antibody preparations showing restricted heterogeneity.
Footnotes
- Received September 8, 1972.
- Copyright, 1972, by The Williams & Wilkins Company
- Copyright © 1973 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.
Pay Per Article - You may access this article (from the computer you are currently using) for 1 day for US$37.50
Regain Access - You can regain access to a recent Pay per Article purchase if your access period has not yet expired.