Index
Opinion Poultry Research
Egg Yolk Antibodies; an Alternative to Antibiotics?
Oral immunotherapy (passive immunization) with specific antibodies is a strategy that has been actively pursued in laboratory and clinical studies for the last two decades. Feeding of specific egg yolk antibodies to neutralize pathogens especially enteric microorganisms is one of the potential alternatives to antibiotics. Oral administration of these antibodies has had some degree of success in prevention of viral and bacterial enteric infections in humans, piglets, calves, and fish.
There are still many obstacles which make oral administration of antibodies in commercial poultry a difficult goal to achieve. Getting approval from regulatory authorities, cost of production of antibodies in large scale, stability of these substances in poultry feed and gastrointestinal tract, specificity of these antibodies against field pathogens (as pathogens constantly evolve) are a few of these obstacles. The current trend in the industry is to move from treatment to prevention. Disease prevention is a complicated process with multiple determinants, and alternatives to antibiotics could be part of this. Solid biosecurity measures will remain as a very important part of disease prevention/control strategies.
Other Research
- Author: Mojtaba Yegani
- Post a comment
Comments ( 17 )
I have a question to Dr.Mojtaba. Can someone take the liquid phase of egg yolk, without lipidic part. Then, to make an injectable in an emulsion preparation in order to treat IBD or Newcastle Disease outbreck. The IgY antibodies of egg yolk against newcastle will activated defense mechanism of bird. Another question is if antibodies have to have been purified in order to make injectable
Edgar Canahui M.Sc.Anim Prod. Reading Univ. // Sunday 02 December 2007
This is a great news, which I do believe that needs some further research to definitely prove the idea. On the other side the authorities have to be a little more strict towards the limitation, if not banning, the use of antimicrobials, unless it will be considered vitally important. Again, congratulations for the good news and success in the future/further research work.
I think it seems as a exciting and a unique solution over a complex poultry and human health problem,But a lot really needed to prove before expect a readymade solution from it.I believe that a high standard of research should be focused on: Cost and production technologies sfecificity of these antibodies against field pathogen Stability of these substances in feed,water and GItract.If we can address thse constraints I am sure we would be able to reduce pains and sufferings from human and animal societies
Dr KB Bohara/Kathmandu Nepal,27/03/07 // Tuesday 27 March 2007
Egg yolk antibodies can be more useful is the the antigen requiered to inhibit is present in the gastrointestinal tract of the animals. There has been some work that if the antibody is fed a few hours after hatch it can be absorbed by the chicken and have a systemic effect. In the case of mammals, the GI tract is open so big molecules can be absorbed (antibodies)early at birth. We have shown that feeding antibodies against urease can improve animal performance. Others have shown similar effects with antibodies against other enzymes and hormones.
IF the chickens were raised in a healthy enviroment with room to move about, sun, fresh air and allowed to eat grass and other more natural foods, antibiotics that kill life would not be necessray. My birds recieve no 'medicines' other then some probiotics in teh form of fresh yogurt made with raw cow's milk from cows that live on pasture and are outside in the sun and grass.
Iam excited at this research progress which I believe will provide future solutions to the problem of bacteria diseases resistance development in future. I equally believe that future solution to the chemotherapy of HIV and AIDS will come with this scientific innovation. Rural communities in Nigeria and Africa had long been managing typhoid infection in Humans with yolk of eggs from scavanging local chickens It is their believe that scavanging local chicks store antibodies of foreing antigens in their yolk for onward passage to their offsprng vertically If egg yolk antibodies had worked in the treatment of IBD ,an immunosuppressive disease of poultry, similar to AIDS ,THEN it is most likely that the ultimate solution to the final cure of AIDS will come from poultry.
