Lactogenic immunity following vaccination of cattle with bovine coronavirus

In order to investigate the ability of an oil adjuvanted vaccine containing bovine coronavirus antigen to enhance lactogenic immunity in the calf, pre gnant cows and heifers were vaccinated and specific virus neutralising anti body levels determined in serum, colostrum and milk. Pre-existing antibody titres (as a result of natural infection) in the serum of these animals wer e found to be significantly increased as a result of a single shot vaccinat ion carried out between 2 and 12 weeks before calving. This was reflected i n a similar increase in the titre and duration of specific antibody in milk and colostrum that was passed on to the calves. The overall response obser ved was highly dependent on an adequate antigen payload being incorporated within the single dose vaccine. No abnormal local or systemic reactions wer e observed as a result of vaccination. Tt is hoped that this approach will lead to the production of a superior commercial vaccine for the protection of neonatal calves against enteric coronavirus infection. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.