Polyclonal antibodies anti-salmon immunoglobulins; potential tools for diagnosis

Abstract

Immunoglobulins (Igs) from sera of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were purified with 50% saturated ammonium sulphate followed by molecular sieving chromatography using Sephacryl S-300. The fraction of purified Igs was used as immunogen to generate a polyclonal antibody anti-salmon Igs. This antibody was affinity purified in a Sepharose-protein G column. By immunoradiometric assay against the immunogen, the rabbit IgG anti-salmon Igs showed a high specific titer (at least 1/100.000) for the antigen. This reagent offers the possibility of detection of salmon or trout (crossreactivity) humoral immune responses, both for diagnostic and research purposes.