Intranasal Immunization and Milk Collection in Studies of Maternal Immunization in New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

Due to similarities in placentation and antibody transfer with humans, rabbits are an excellent model of maternal immunization. Additional advantages of this research model are the ease of breeding and sample collection, relatively short gestation period, and large litter sizes. Commonly assessed routes of immunization include subcutaneous, intramuscular, intranasal, and intradermal. Nonterminal sample collection for the chronological detection of the immunologic responses to these immunizations include the collection of blood, from both dams and kits, and milk from the lactating does. In this article, we will demonstrate techniques our lab has utilized in studies of maternal immunization in New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), including intranasal immunization and milk collection.