Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in the rat: 2. A comparison of production of antibodies in bile and serum by baby rats, lactating rats and adult rats

Production of bile lgA and serum lgG antibody responses against whole worm antigens and worm metabolic product antigens occurred by 7 to 14 days after a single infection with N. brasiliensis and was similar in adult rats, lactating rats and baby rats. Production of bile lgA antibodies against phosphorylcholine was greater in adult rats, 7 days after infection, than in baby rats or lactating rats. lgA antibody production by baby rats may be affected by immaturity of the intestinal lgA system, and diversion to the mammary gland of lgA-plasma cell precursors may occur in lactating rats. Such effects may be involved in the failure of baby rats and lactating rats to expel parasites by day 21 at which time in adult rats expulsion was complete.