Date of Award:

5-1-1979

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Life Sciences:Biology

Committee Chair(s)

Paul B. Carter

Committee

Paul B. Carter

Committee

Rex S. Spendlove

Committee

Bonita Wyse

Abstract

Domestic New Zealand white rabbits were immunized using various routes of administration and concentrations of viable Mycoplasma bovis antigen. The humoral antibody response was monitored weekly using the following serological techniques adapted for use with the microtiter titration system: the complement fixation test, the latex agglutination test, and the tetrazolium reduction inhibition test. The growth inhibition test was also utilized. The antibody response was dependent on the route of antigen administration of both the primary and booster immunizations. Primary immunization utilizing Freund's complete adjuvant produced consistently higher initial antibody titers when administered by the foot pad route than either subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. All of the primary immunization methods elicited approximately equal responses at the end of a five week period. A series of intravenous boosters, without adjuvant, produced substantially higher antibody titers than either subcutaneous or intramuscular injections using Freund's incomplete adjuvant. The humoral antibody response was found to be relatively independent of the concentration of antigen administered. The antibody response to primary immunization by the foot pad route was independent of the antigen concentration within the 10 to 2,000 μg range of dosages. The antibody response to intravenous booster immunizations was dependent on the concentration of antigen adminstered. Sub-optimal doses of antigen (10 and 100 μg) produced a low level booster response with higher doses (500, 1,000, and 2,000 μg) producing an elevated typical anamnestic response. The serological methods utilized differed with respect to their sensitivity. The latex agglutination and tetrazolium reduction inhibition tests were found to be the most sensitive. Complement fixation titers were consistently lower than either the latex agglutination or tetrazolium reduction inhibition tests. The growth inhibition test was relatively ineffective in monitoring the humoral antibody response with the immunization procedures used.

Download

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .