Resistance of bovine colostral anti-cholera toxin antibody to in vitro and in vivo proteolysis.

Pregnant cows immunized with cholera enterotoxin produce an immunoglobulin G class 1 antibody that enters the colostrum in high titer. After exposure to intestinal enzymes, this antibody remains immunologically reactive and inhibits intestinal fluid secretion in infant and adult rabbits exposed to cholera enterotoxin. Specific bovine colostral antibodies may be a source of passive immune protection for human infants and adults at risk for cholera and other enteric diseases.