Colostral transfer of antibodies specific for Hypoderma lineatum proteins.

Antibodies to Hypoderma lineatum were transferred to calves via colostrum. The antibodies transferred in the colostrum demonstrated specificity to all the H. lineatum first-instar proteins which were resolved by non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were capable of mediating a Type I hypersensitivity reaction. The kinetic decline of colostrum-acquired antibodies, the effect upon development of an autologous humoral response to H. lineatum and the host or parasite protective role of these antibodies are discussed.