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LOCAL ANTIGENIC STIMULATION OF GUINEA‐PIG MAMMARY GLAND
Author(s) -
McDowell GH
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
australian journal of experimental biology and medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0004-945X
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1973.21
Subject(s) - mammary gland , subcutaneous injection , antigen , immunization , lactation , guinea pig , antibody , stimulation , biology , brucella abortus , mastitis , medicine , endocrinology , immunology , pregnancy , brucellosis , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , cancer , breast cancer
Summary Local 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.