mRNA from porcine colostral and milk cells coding for specific antibodies in response to orally administered Escherichia coli strains

The effect of feeding live $\text{Escherichia coli}$ bacteria to sows on the lymphocyte populations in colostrum and milk was studied by $\text{in ovo}$ translation of the mRNA of these cells (Kortbeek-Jacobs and van der Donk, 1978). Four $\text{E. coli}$ strains were tested: one wild type K88 producing strain, two conjugated K12 strains producing K88 antigen and one wild type K12 strain. Only after feeding the wild type K88 bacteria, colostral lymphocytes contained mRNA coding for anti-K88 antibodies, predominantly of the IgA and IgM isotypes. Milk lymphocytes of the sows receiving one of the other strains were capable of producing more anti-K88 antibodies than the sows that were fed the wild type K88 strain. Antibodies were predominantly of the IgM class. The reactivity of the milk lymphocytes is ascribed to the strain with which the piglets were challenged. The results support the phenomenon of sensitized gut lymphocytes that home to the mammary gland.     

The effect of oral immunization on the population of lymphocytes migrating to the mammary gland of the sow

Sows were immunized orally with live Escherichia coli according to various immunization schedules. Six pregnant gilts were used; 4 immunized at various intervals during the last month of gestation, 1 control immunized after parturition following suppression of lactation by weaning and 1 non-immunized control. The effect of oral vaccination on cell populations from lymphoid organs was studied. The in vitro proliferative responses of the cell populations to K88 antigen, anti-Ig sera and mitogens were used to demonstrate the distribution of sensitized lymphocytes over different lymphoid organs. The capacity of these cells to produce antigen-specific Ig was determined by in ovo translation of their mRNA.Oral administration of antigen resulted in the appearance of K88-positive cells in lymphoid organs. In lactating sows, sensitized cells preferentially occured in the mammary lymph nodes, whereas after suppression of lactation such a distribution was not seen. A possible route of migration of sensitized lymphocytes is discussed in relation to the local immune response. The antibody isotype produced by sensitized lymphocytes seemed to depend on the immunization schedule. The most effective schedule was one starting early in gestation and comprising frequent administration of antigen. This caused an optimal distribution of sensitized lymphocytes capable of IgA production.     

Oral immunization of sows: anti-K88 antibodies in serum and milk of the sow and in serum of the piglets

Pregnant sows were immunized by oral application of live E. coli. The effect of immunization was demonstrated by measuring the titers of anti-K88 antibodies in sow serum, colostrum and milk as well as in piglet sera using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The isotype involved in anti-K88 reactivity was found to be IgA. By comparing IgA-titers in colostrum and milk, the local production of this Ig-class in the mammary gland is suggested.