The effect of delayed harvesting as well as freezing and thawing on biological properties of Newcastle disease virus.

Delayed harvest of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from eggs was less infective (as expressed by its lower infectious titer and a higher number of virus particles per EID50) and more resistant to a temperature of 50 degrees C than the early harvest. On the other hand, little or no effect of delayed harvesting was found on neuraminidase, erythrocyte-fusing and immunogenic properties. Moreover, haemolytic activity of NDV was moderately enhanced when its harvesting from de-embryonated egg was delayed. Treatment of a fresh NDV preparation with repeated freezing and thawing cycles also caused a marked reduction in virus infectivity and induction of its haemolytic activity.