Production of avian antibodies to three potyviruses in coturnix quail.

Avian antibodies against three potyviruses were produced in a small bird, coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica Temminck et Schlegel), with 15-60 micrograms of purified virus preparations. Intramuscular injections of immunogen with Freund's incomplete or complete adjuvant into the birds did not result in higher titer of antibody compared to that of control birds given intravenous injections. Quail egg yolk antibody was as useful as hen antibody for indirect-ELISA and allowed virus to be detected in purified preparation (10-50 ng/ml) and in crude extracts (10(-6)-10(-7) dilution). The advantages of using quail to produce avian antibodies are discussed.