Abstract
The ability to produce antibodies is essential for protection from infectious disease; however, in the neonate, maternal antibodies have been proposed to interfere with the foal's ability to respond to vaccination. In species other than the equid, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, a high-molecular weight protein, is used in vivo as an experimental vaccine component because of its high intrinsic immunogenicity. In this study, we show that young foals are able to produce a primary antibody response to vaccination at an early age. Thus, foals, like human infants, are capable of responding to antigenic exposure to a novel antigen (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) during the neonatal period. Although vaccinating foals in the presence of maternal antibodies failed to induce a primary serological response, priming occurred as comparable anamnestic responses were detected upon subsequent exposure to the antigen. There was no evidence of tolerance induction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 359-364 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Equine Veterinary Science |
Volume | 30 |
Issue number | 7 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 2010 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Dr. Sturgill was supported by a fellowship from Fort Dodge Animal Health . The authors acknowledge the technical assistance of Mr. Lynn Ennis, Mr. Gary Thomas, and the staff at Maine Chance Farm. This is publication number 10-14-079 from the University of Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.
Keywords
- Equine
- Maternal Interference
- Neonate
- Vaccination
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Equine