Production and antigenic effect of experimental sheep adenovirus vaccines

Adenovirus vaccines inactivated and adsorbed with different methods were prepared for the specific control of pneumoenteritis of lambs. Beta-propiolactone and formalin as inactivating agents and aluminium hydroxide gel and DEAE dextran as adjuvants were compared. Vaccines inactivated and adsorbed in different ways provoked practically the same immunological response. Seronegative lambs developed a higher level of antibodies after the administration of monovalent vaccines, than in the case of a bivalent one. It is concluded that inactivated and adsorbed adenovirus vaccines provoke a significant production of antibodies in sheep.