Immunization of Swine for Production of Antibody Against Zearalenone

Production of antisera specific for zearalenone was investigated in swine for potential use in prophylaxis against zearalenone hyperestrogenism. Swine were immunized with zearalenone-6'-carboxymethyloxime bovine serum albumin conjugate by four different protocols. For detection of antizearalenone antibody, a simple indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was devised whereby porcine antiserum was incubated over a zearalenone-6'-carboxymethyloxime poly-L-lysine solid phase and total bound antibodies were detected with peroxidase-labeled anti-swine serum. The optimal immunization protocol consisted of an initial injection of 5 mg of conjugate followed by a 2-mg boost at 4 wk and was sufficient to obtain anti-zearalenone titers of 1:5120 in 8 wk. Competitive indirect ELISA for zearalenone using this antiserum had an assay detection limit of 10 ng/ml for the toxin. Cross-reactivity of the antiserum with α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, α-zearalanol, and β-zearalanol were 33, 25, 6, and 10%, respectively.