Natural antibody against Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen in bovine milk

The presence of natural antibody against Thomsen-Friedenreich (TF) antigen in fresh bovine milk was demonstrated by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The amount of the antibody against TF antigen was decreased after heat treatment, and the antibody was not detectable by ELISA in the milk after pasteurization. A small amount of the antibody was detected in fetal bovine serum by ELISA, suggesting the transfer of passive immunity to the calf.