Active and passive sensitization of the uterus of the cow in vivo against Trichomonas foetus antigen and the evidence for the local production of antibody in that site

Abstract

1. Antibody occurs in the uterus and can be withdrawn by irrigation. Intrauterine antibody results from the introduction of antibody into the lumen of the uterus.2. Neither free antibody nor the sensitization of the uterus has been produced by intramuscular injection of antigen, even when antibody has circulated in the bloodstream for periods from a few weeks to many months.3. Active sensitization of the uterus follows upon the repeated introduction of antigen into the uterus.4. It is concluded that antibody can be produced locally by some of the cells in the uterus when T. foetus antigen is present.5. The uterus of the cow can be sensitized passively in vivo by the instillation of bovine anti-trichomonas serum so that the instillation 6–10 days later of Trichomonas antigen will produce the characteristic local anaphylactic reaction.

Mucosal and systemic antiviral antibodies in mice inoculated intravaginally with herpes simplex virus type 2

“…Disparities between serum and secretory humoral immune responses are well recognized following mucosal exposure to antigens (Batty & Warrack, 1955;Bienenstock & Befus, 1980;Kerr & Robertson, 1953;Levitt & Barol, 1987;McDermott et al, 1980McDermott et al, , 1982McDermott & Bienenstock, 1979;Ogra & Ogra, 1973;WeiszCarrington et al, 1979). Generally, an antigen-specific IgA response in external secretions is the hallmark of mucosal immune responsiveness, although this isotype often occurs together with an IgG response in the sera.…”

“…Thus, stimulation of mucosal immunity might have major importance in generating local resistance to HSV-2 and other pathogens. Studies of humoral immunity to microbial infections of the genital mucosa (Brunham et al, 1983;Chipperfield & Evans, 1972, 1975Clarke, 1984;Kerr & Robertson, 1953;Levitt & Barol, 1987;Waldman et al,, 1972;Widders et al, 1985; 0000-9391 © 1990 SGM Wilkie et al, 1972), support this hypothesis.…”

“…Genital exposure to soluble (Batty & Warrack, 1955;Yang & Schumacher, 1979), cellular (Beer & Heaves, 1978;Chipperfield & Evans, 1972, 1975Clarke, 1984;Kerr & Robertson, 1953;Waldman et al, 1972;Yang & Schumacher, 1979) and viral (Ogra & Ogra, 1973) antigens, including HSV-2 (Mendis et al, 1981 ;Merrinran et al, 1984;Nahmias et at., 1967), can result in specific antibody responses; including secretory IgA, in cervicovaginal secretions which may not be mirrored inthe circulation. These observations correlate with increased numbers of plasmacytes in the cervicovaginal mucosa following exposure to antigen (Chipperfield & Evans;.…”

Induced Infertility in Cattle by Iso-Immunization With Semen and Testis

“…Embryo mor¬ tality was also induced in 9-day-old rabbit embryos by direct contact with this bovine antiserum (Menge, Kiddy, Stone & Casida, 1962). Menge & Protzman (1967) (Behrman & Nakayama, 1965) and mice (McLaren, 1964 (Pierce, 1953;Kerr & Robertson, 1953;Kerr, 1955;Terpstra, 1956). The conflicts may arise partially because of a gradient phenomenon, in that unless the circulatory titre of antibody is high the amount of antibody in the secretions of the genital tract may be diluted to such an extent that it is difficult to detect.…”

The remarkable Dr Robertson

“…Interestingly, this skin sensitivity temporarily decreased immediately after parturition, most likely due to vastly increased corticosteroid concentrations in the blood (Kerr et al, 1949(Kerr et al, , 1951. Muriel and Kerr went on to show that specific protective antibodies were present in uterine and vaginal secretions following T. foetus infection or local administration of antigen, despite few or none of these antibodies entering the circulation (Kerr and Robertson, 1953). Furthermore, a local anaphylactic-type sensitivity reaction could be stimulated by repeated intrauterine instillation of antigen (Kerr and Robertson, 1953).…”