Immunization of chickens with quail and turkey perivitelline membrane proteins: Production of antibodies and their effects on fertility

The cross-reactivity of antibodies developed against zona pellucida protein s and their subsequent deleterious effect on fertility in heterologous spec ies is well documented. However, similar investigations have not been under taken in avian species. In Experiment 1, White Leghorn hens were immunized with intact germinal discs (GD) of quail and chickens. Chicken GD proteins did not elicit an immune response in chicken hens, whereas quail GD protein s were highly immunogenic. Anti-quail GD antibodies did not bind with chick en inner perivitelline membrane (IPM) proteins as determined by immunoblot analysis. To examine the fertility of immunized hens, artificial inseminati on was performed at weekly intervals for 4 wk following the booster immuniz ation; No significant differences were detected in fertility or hatchabilit y of immunized hens when compared with unimmunized control hens. Ln Experim ent 2, White Leghorn hens were immunized with intact turkey GD, solubilized turkey perivitelline membrane (PM) modified with dinitrophenol (DNP), and solubilized chicken IPM modified with DNP. High titers of antibodies were d etected against the turkey GD and the DNP-modified turkey PM proteins. A we ak immune response was observed in hens immunized with modified chicken IPM proteins. The fertility and hatchability of eggs laid by immunized hens, h owever, were not significantly different from those of unimmunized hens. An tibodies from immunized hens were further analyzed using an in vitro assay that assesses sperm penetration of intact IPM. Sperm penetration of intact LPM was inhibited to the same extent when IPM was preincubated with preimmu ne as well as anti-PM immunoglobulins. Collectively, these results suggeste d that the antibodies developed in these hens did not crossreact with the c hicken LPM proteins involved in sperm-egg interaction and thus did not infl uence the fertility.