IMMUNIZATION REGIMES USED TO ELEVATE SERUM IGE IN SHEEP

Six different immunisation regimes were used in an attempt to elevate the concentration of ovine IgE. The response was measured by a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test. These regimes included infection wi th Ascaris suum and the combination of infection and parenteral admini stration of Ascaris antigens and ovalbumin in adjuvants. The regime pr oducing the highest titre of IgE was the combination of Ascaris infect ion with parenteral administration of Ascaris extract in Bordetella pe rtussis. This regime consistently produced a transient high titre (1:1 280-1:2560) of serum IgE 9-12 days after immunisation. The response to ovalbumin was transient and the maximum PCA titre obtained was 1:10.