The influence of route of vaccination on the systemic and local immune response in the pig.

The influence of the route of vaccination on the systemic and local immune response has been studied in the sow with ferritin antigen using three methods of vaccination: 1. intramuscular with Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA); 2. intramammary without FCA; 3. intramammary with FCA. Intramammary vaccination was found to be superior to intramuscular vaccination in producing both a local and systemic response. Folowing stimulation by either route, antibody activity was found in all immunoglobulin classes, the major amount of antibody activity in a body fluid correlating with the major immunoglobulin class in that fluid. Antibody production was increased in all immunoglobulin classes by using FCA. Vaccination of one gland resulted in antibody activity in the secretions of the other mammary glands.