Characterization of IgY antibodies, developed in hens, directed against camel immunoglobulins

Chicken egg yolk antibodies (IgY) against camel immunoglobulins were generated and their specificity was shown by double immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis, and Western blotting. Anti camel antibodies specifically react to camel antibodies in immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis were demonstrated. Western blotting revealed that IgY antibodies recognize the heavy chain in a number of mammalian species. Anti-camel antibodies bound camel IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 subclasses like the subclasses of sheep, but no reactivity to all subclasses chains in cattle and horse antibodies were observed. Polyclonal anti-camel IgY was specifically light chain reactive. Overall, the potential of using egg yolk immunoglobulins as a convenient source of anti antibodies to camel immunoglobulins was demonstrated.