Comparison of detection methods for antibodies to boar spermatozoa

Abstract

Sera collected from each animal at weekly intervals and sera from two 3-month old virgin gilts were tested for sperm antibody utilizing indirect immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase, indirect immunobead, Staphylococcus Aureus protein a agglutination techniques and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sera from the virgin gilts and preimmune sera of immunized animals were negative for sperm antibody with all methods. The different methods varied in their sensitivity to determination of sperm antibody titers. The ELISA was the most sensitive of the methods. The ELISA and Protein A agglutination were the most suitable in terms of specificity and repeatability for sperm antibody detection in swine.


(Tropical Veterinarian: 2003 21(1): 1-13)