Immunoelectrophoresis of duck sera and immunoglobulins

Duck whole sera (DWS) and immunoglobulins (DIg) were studied in immunoelectrophoresis (IE) and immunodiffusion (ID) tests by rabbit (R) anti-DWS and R anti-DIg sera, as well as by R antisera monospecific for DIgM and DIgG classes. Immunoelectrophoresis of adult DWS against R anti-DWS illustrated the presence of DIgM and two subclasses of DIgG. These observations were verified by the use of monospecific R anti-DIgM and R anti-DIgG sera. It appeared that DIgM is an electrophoretically heterogeneous protein with components that migrate more slowly than IgM of other species. The cathodal tip of the DIgM extended into the gamma2 migration zone almost as far as the DigG arc. Changes in the IE pattern of DWS from 1-to-14-day-old ducklings were observed that reflected a reduction in DIgG content from the age of 1 to 7 days followed by a gradual change toward the IE appearance of adult sera. Immunoelectrophoresis and ID failed to detect DIgM in sera of newly hatched ducklings. This class of DIg appeared in sera of 7-day-old duckling and seemed to be more concentrated in sera of 14-day-old ducklings.