MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODIES AGAINST BOOPHILUS-MICROPLUS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON TICK REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY

Four monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against extracts of embryo and gut t issue obtained from fully engorged Boophilus microplus were produced, The mAb BrBm1 reacted with different instars and tissues, the BrBm2 re cognized only antigens present in gut extract and the mAbs BrBm3 and B rBm4 recognized vitellin, The effect of inoculation of these mAbs into fully engorged Boophilus microplus females was also evaluated, The mA bs BrBm1 and BrBm2 caused a decrease in oviposition of approximately 5 0% and 70%, respectively, and the mAbs BrBm3 and BrBm4 did not affect reproductive efficiency, This assay may be useful as a low-cost test t o provide preliminary information on the possible effects of anti-tick antibodies in damaging ticks before attempting cattle vaccination exp eriments. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.