Neutralizing antibodies to CELO and avian adenovirus-associated viruses in the albumen of chicken eggs.

ABSTRACT

Neutralizing antibodies to CELO virus and to avian adenovirus-associated virus (A-AV) were detected in the albumen of eggs from four hens inoculated with these viruses. The antibody concentrations of serum, yolk, and albumen were determined before inoculation and at various times postinoculation (PI) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and virus-neutralization (VN) tests. The antibody concentration in albumen was 0.3% to 1.0% of that detected in serum and yolk. Uninoculated hens showed no detectable antibody in serum, yolk, or albumen. It is suggested that the presence of antibody in the egg albumen may play a role in egg-transmission of viruses.