Production of Antibodies in Egg Whites of Chickens

Abstract

Background:  IgM, which participates in the primary immune response, is the primary antibody in egg whites. There is scant information about the production of antibodies in egg whites. This study describes the preparation of antibodies against a bacterial antigen, staphylococcal protein-A. Methods: The detection of antibodies against staphylococcal protein-A in egg white was performed by ELISA, and the antibodies were purified by protein-A affinity chromatography. Agglutination inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strains by purified antibodies against protein-A in vitro was investigated. Results:  ELISA showed the production of antibodies against staphylococcal protein-A in the egg whites of layer hens. The antibodies were separated using affinity chromatography. The agglutination of Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strains occurred when the purified antibodies were incubated with S. aureus. Conclusion: The results showed that it is possible to produce antibodies against bacterial antigens in egg whites, which can have industrial applications in the preparation of antibodies for immunotherapy of infectious diseases.