Induction of antibody formation to goat erythrocytes in the developing chick embryo and effects of maternal antibody

Abstract

The formation of antibody to goat erythrocytes has been studied in embryos and young chicks. Opsonizing antibody was measured by accelerated clearance of antigen and the sensitivity of this technique compared with haemagglutination tests. A wide range of immunizing doses of goat erythrocytes was used; all induced immunity. Small amounts of antibody were detected as early as the day of hatching but vigorous antibody production did not occur until 3 days later. An immune response could be induced in 12-day-old embryos and the most vigorous response was obtained by injection of 14-day-old embryos. Antibody production was relatively poor between the fifteenth day of embryonic life and 15 days after hatching. This was due to the presence of maternal antibody.