Milk IgG Research Articles

Local antigenic stimulation of guinea-pig mammary gland.

SummaryLocal immunization of the mammary glands of pregnant guinea‐pigs with killed Brucella abortus elicited a local production of specific antibody most of which was associated with IgA. The local response to intra‐ductal infusion of antigen was greater than that which followed injection of antigen into subcutaneous sites near the mammary gland. Local production of antibody persisted for two consecutive lactation periods following immunization by either route.Concentrations of IgA in milk were 10‐25 times greater than in serum, whereas the levels of IgG in milk were approximately 1/5th those for scrum. Significantly greater amounts of IgA were present in milk from locally‐infused' glands than in milk from glands immunized by subcutaneous injection and from non‐immunized glands. The levels of IgG in milk were not affected by local immunization.

False Positive Tests for Hepatitis-Associated Antigen in Blood Donors Caused by Antibodies to Ruminant Serum Proteins

Abstract A reaction of non-identity observed during routine screening for hepatitis associated antigen (HAA) by agar gel diffusion led to the demonstration that bovine thrombin added to hepatitis screening reagents could react with antibodies present in normal donor sera. Similar false positive reactions for HAA occurred when anti-HAA produced in ruminants was employed. These human anti-ruminant antibodies occurred in 0.19% of 15,632 blood donors from two geographic areas. The human antibodies were IgG γ globulins and reacted primarily with ruminant serum IgG and IgM. They also reacted with IgG and IgM present in milk plus additional unidentified milk proteins. The anti-ruminant antibodies were present in 39% of IgA deficient patients; among “normal” donors found to have such antibody, 11.5% had depressed levels of IgA. The majority of donors with anti-ruminant antibodies, however, had normal serum IgA concentration. Secretory IgA was present in those tested. The presence of anti-ruminant antibodies in donor sera will produce false positive reactions for HAA and/or anti-HAA in agar gel diffusion (AGD) if “thrombinized” or ruminant-derived reagents are used and will cause false positive reactions for anti-HAA in counterelectrophoresis. Such antibodies do not interfere with complement fixation or hemagglutination tests for hepatitis antigen or antibody.

Effect of various levels of isoflavone aglycone-enriched fermented soybean meal on redox status, serum hormones and milk quality in ewes

The study investigated the effects of various levels of isoflavone aglycone-enriched fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on the redox status, serum hormones and milk quality of ewes from late pregnancy to early lactation. Twenty Chongming White ewes were chosen and divided into four treatment groups (n = 5): basal diet without FSBM (CON); basal diet with 2% (FSBM2); 4% (FSBM4); and 6% FSBM (FSBM6) replacing equal amounts of soybean meal (SBM). At parturition, maternal serum, the placenta and colostrum were collected. At day 21 of lactation, maternal serum and milk were collected. Results showed that, compared with CON, feeding ewes with FSBM6 reduced the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) concentration in the placenta. At parturition and day 21 of lactation, the serum SOD activity and T-AOC concentration in FSBM4 and FSBM6 were higher than those in CON. Furthermore, the concentration of serum 8-iso prostaglandin (8-ISO-PGF2α) was markedly lower in FSBM6 than in CON. Serum prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentrations were increased in FSBM4 and FSBM6 compared with CON. PRL concentration was increased in FSBM2. FSBM4 increased the levels of fat, protein, lactose, IgA, IgG and IgM in colostrum and milk. In conclusion, feeding ewes with FSBM from late pregnancy to early lactation seemed to increase maternal and placental anti-oxidative capacity, and improve serum hormones and milk quality. Considered overall, the level of 4% supplementation is recommended.Keywords: Milk contents, oxidative stress, placenta, serum parameters