Production of autologous and homologous antibodies against some whey proteins in three ruminant species

The primary purpose of the present trial was an attempt to produce antibodies to autologous and homologous milk whey proteins in three ruminant species; moreover, to use rabbits as a source of heterologous antibody and to show that the preparation used for immunization was antigenic. The underlying thought was that since milk proteins are unique to the mammary gland, an auto-allergic condition to milk proteins may play a role in mastitis. Lactating females, virgin females, and males of the bovine, ovine, and caprine species were immunized with injections of a mixture of complete Freund's Adjuvant and whole milk. Eleven injections were given over a three-month period. The results showed the bovine did not produce antibodies to either homologous or autologous milk proteins. However, the ovine and caprine species produced both autologous and homologous antibodies of low concentration. Neither quarter milk production nor incidence of clinical mastitis was influenced by repeated injections of milk. It was concluded that the autologous and homologous antibodies produced against milk proteins were not important etiological agents in an auto-allergic condition of mastitis. It was postulated that the apparent unresponsiveness to injected milk proteins in the bovine may be due to intestinal absorption of large quantities of immunologically reactive milk proteins during the first few neonatal days. This, then, could cause an acceptance of milk proteins and failure to recognize these as being foreign in later life.