Comparative effect of selected adjuvants on the response in the bovine mammary gland to staphylococcal and streptococcal antigens

The effect of 4 adjuvants on the response in the lactating bovine mammary gland to an antigenic stimulus was examined. Fifty four lactating Holstein Friesian cows were randomly allocated to 6 groups. Four of these groups received a staphylococcal and streptococcal bacterin-toxoid vaccine administered systemically in association with an adjuvant preparation. The adjuvants used were: aluminum hydroxide gel, Freund's incomplete adjuvant, a metabolizable lipid emulsion and Bordetella pertussis . Two further groups serving as controls received saline, or the vaccine suspended in saline only. The immunoglobulin G response specific for each of 3 vaccine antigens, was monitored in the milk by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for a period of 23 weeks. The results indicated that high levels of antibody may be maintained in the milk, throughout the average lactation, if cows are vaccinated in the region of the supramammary lymph node with an optimum dose of antigen emulsified in Freund's incomplete adjuvant.