EPITOPE-SPECIFIC ANTIBODY-RESPONSES IN MARKET-STRESSED CALVES TO BOVINE HERPESVIRUS TYPE-1

Reciprocal competition ELISA (rcELISA) was conducted to map monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) reactive with gI, gIII and gIV glycoproteins of bov ine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1) into epitope groups. mAbs to glycoprote ins gI and gIV were divided into six epitope groups each, while gill m Abs had been previously divided into four areas. mAbs were chosen from each epitope group to compete in cELISA with bovine sera collected du ring a typical regimen of vaccination and transportation from farm to auction to feedlot. The immunodominant epitopes were identified for ea ch BHV-1 glycoprotein. With glycoprotein gI, three epitopes defined by mAbs 1F10, D9 and 4807 were the most dominant; with glycoprotein gIII epitopes defined by mAbs G2 and 1507, and with glycoprotein gIV epito pes defined by mAbs 1102, 1106, 3C1, 3402 and 3E7 showed the maximum r esponses. The overall cELISA responses to each glycoprotein among two vaccination groups were also compared and it was shown chat cELISA res ponses were significantly higher for each glycoprotein in calves recei ving two vaccinations, one on the farm of origin and one at auction, t han in calves receiving only one vaccination at auction.