Immunoglobulin Concentration and Specific Antibody Activity in Oocytes and Eggs of Immunized Red Sea Bream

Abstract

The IgM concentration and specific antibody titre of oocyte and egg extracts of Vibrio-immunized red sea bream were successfully measured by an enzyme immunoassay and an ELISA procedure. The concentration of oocytic immunoglobulin was found to increase during the vitellogenesis process. The oocytes as well as the fertilized eggs of the immunized females had antibody titre much higher than that of the control group. On the other hand, no considerable difference in immunoglobulin concentration was found between the eggs obtained from immunized and control mothers. Hence, the comparison of the value of antibody titre per mg IgM estimated for the maternal blood, oocytes and eggs of the same fish showed that common features of immunity exist between the oocytes, eggs and maternal blood. The possible origin of the oocytic and egg IgM was shown to be the maternal blood plasma.