Protective effect of immunoglobulins in serum and milk of sows exposed to transmissible gastroenteritis virus.

Experimental exposure of susceptible pregnant sows by various routes to the gut-origin transmissible gastroenteritis virus stimulated production of milk and serum antibodies. These antibodies neutralized the cytopathic effect of transmissible gastroenteritis virus propagated in cell culture. This in vitro neutralizing antibody resided in the IgG and IgA immunoglobulin classes. On the other hand, protection for baby pigs resided in the IgA class of milk immunoglobulin of sows exposed orally or intramammarily but not of sows exposed intramuscularly to the virus.