Measuring of the salivary immunoglobulin in Callithrix jacchus primates in captivity running title: salivary immunoglobulin in marmoset

Abstract

The primary antibody in the mucous membranes and exocrine glands is a polymetric secretory immunoglobulin A. This immunoglobulin has been used as an indicator of stress in various animals, including nonhuman primates, and can also be used to monitor immune activity. The secretory immunoglobulin A is predominantly found in seromucous secretions such as saliva, tears, colostrum, milk, and liquor, as well as tracheobronchial, intestinal, and genitourinary secretions. This study aimed to measure the salivary IgA levels in Callithrix jacchus (common marmoset) by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test (ELISA). Twelve pairs of animals were used, previously conditioned by the operant conditioning technique with positive reinforcement to saliva collection. Samples were collected once a week for six months. In this experiment, the salivary secretory immunoglobulin A concentrations in Callithrix jacchus were very low. We suggest new studies using other techniques to quantify the IgA quantities in the saliva of these animals.