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Preparation of heavy chain specific antisera to bovine IgA, IgM, IgG1 and IgG2

Goats, guinea pigs and rabbits were immunized with bovine IgM or with intact molecules, heavy chains, Fc portions or light chains of bovine IgG1 and IgG2. Rabbits and guinea pigs were immunized with bovine secretory IgA. Goats and guinea pigs produced heavy chain specific antisera to intact IgM whereas rabbits produced anti-light chain antibody and in one instance anti-alpha 2-macroglobulin antibody in addition to the anti-mu response. Goats and guinea pigs produced antisera to bovine IgG1 and IgG2 and their Fc portions that needed little absorption to render them monospecific for the heavy chain. In addition to antibody to the heavy chains, rabbits produced anti-light chain antibody when immunized with intact IgG1 or IgG2 molecules. These latter sera, and those produced by rabbits immunized with Fc portions of IgG1 or IgG2 required extensive absorption before they were monospecific for their respective heavy chains. Heavy chains were poor immunogens in all three species. Rabbits immunized with IgA produced both anti-alpha and anti-light chain antibodies while guinea pigs produced sera with antibody activity to the alpha chain only.

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