ABSTRACT
The immunoglobulin G class (IgG) found in blood serum of the hen is known to be transferred to the yolk of eggs laid by the hen to give acquired immunity to the offspring. The antibody in egg yolk has been referred to as Yolk Immunoglobulin (IgY). This chapter shows a difference in the preparative procedure of an antibody specific to a given antigen when rabbit or hen is used. It is possible to produce IgY in large amounts through the eggs from the hens immunized with a given antigen instead of producing IgG through the blood from a mammal. The productivity of IgY and IgG was compared on the basis of specific antibody activity toward human rotavirus (HRV) Wa and MO strains as the antigens. The productivity of antihuman insulin antibody was also compared using hens and rabbits as immunization animals. The IgY isolated by the method described above was homogeneous in the test by gel chromatography.
