Immunoglobulins of camel (Camelus dromedarius) colostrum

Immunoglobulins G, M and A were identified in dromedary camel colostra by acid precipitation, gel filtration and fast-protein liquid chromatography (ion exchange). Heavy and light chains were identified by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting. IgG subclasses (IgG(1), IgG(2) and IgG(3)) were isolated by DEAE ion-exchange chromatography and shown to have different electrophoretic mobilities. Cross-reactivity of camel IgA with IgA of other species was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Most of the immunoglobulin content was IgG, but a molecule identifiable as IgA was detected and purified. It would appear that in the camel, as in cattle, IgG is the major secretory immunoglobulin of colostrum. (C) 1996 W.B. Saunders Company Limited