Antibody formation in porcine fetuses
Bourne, F.J.; Curtis, J.; Johnson, R.H.; Collings, D.F.
Research in Veterinary Science 16(2): 223-227
1974
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-5288 PMID: 4830985 Document Number: 74161
Immunological competence of the pig foetus was demonstrated after the 55th day of gestation. The immunoglobulins involved were isolated and characterized. The main immunoglobulin was 19S IgM, with smaller amounts of 7S IgG, 4A IgG and 7S IgA. The evidence that the foetal pig is capable of eliciting an immune response that is principally macroglobulin in character suggests that its presence could be useful in the study of intra-uterine disease in the pig.