Susceptibility of embryos and chicks, derived from immunized breeding hens, to avian nephritis virus

High virus-neutralizing antibodies were induced in specific-pathogen-free breeding hens by administration of live and killed avian nephritis virus (ANV), strain M-8, antigens. Ten-day-old embryos from immune hens survived challenge by ANV which was administered by the yolk sac or allantoic cavity route. When the progeny chicks from immune dams were infected with ANV orally or by contact challenge, the virus replicated in the intestine. However, they were protected against pathological damage and virus replication in the kidney. The chicks without maternal antibodies showed apparent renal lesions and virus replication to high titre in the kidneys.