Refinement of the production of antigen-specific hen egg yolk antibodies (IgY) intended for passive dietary immunization in animals: A review

• Published in: Biotechnologie, agronomie, société et environnement Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 483 - 493
• Main Authors: Marcq, Christopher, Thewis, André, Portetelle, Daniel, Beckers, Yves
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Gembloux Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux 2013; Faculté universitaire des sciences agronomiques; Université de Liège
• Subjects: adjuvant; adjuvants; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; animal health; animal husbandry; Animal production; Animal welfare; bien-être animal; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; immunité passive; immunoglobuline; Immunoglobulins; passive immunity; vaccin; vaccines; Veterinary medicine; Egg yolk; Immunoglobulins; Antibody; Passive immunity; Review; Antigen; Hen; Vertebrata; Diet; Animal; Adjuvant; IgY; Aves; Passive immunization
• ISSN: 1370-6233; 1780-4507

Antibodies have become essential tools in recent decades, with a wide range of applications in the laboratory and in human and veterinary medicine. The use of laying hens, instead of mammals, to obtain the necessary antibodies from the eggs is a major advance in terms of animal welfare because it makes blood sampling obsolete. However, the advantages of this technology are numerous, in addition to the animal welfare aspect. With a carefully designed immunization protocol, it is possible to enhance both the hen's immune response and its welfare during the process. This review puts forward recommendations how to do this and discusses recent approaches on improving the technology.