[Immunological activity of the blood sera from cattle with chronic mycotoxicosis]

Attempts were made to disclose and reproduce the immunologic activity of the blood sera of cows, aborted fetuses, and newborn calves in feeding the cows with feeds acted upon by small amounts of toxic moulds. Studied were blood samples of cows in advanced pregnancy or such that had freshly calved, of cows with liver dystrophy, and of newborn calves with toxic dyspepsia. The methods of immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis were employed. It was found that in continuous feeding with mould-affected forages the toxins that gained access into the body attacked chiefly the liver. Along with other changes it induced the release of a complex antigen that was likely to bear the character of both the toxin and the liver proteins. It is believed that the process of building up of specific immune defense against mycotoxins is more complex and continuous. Thus, the immunity obtained is not so effective as in the case of microbial infections.