The effect of ageing on the antigenicity of Haemonchus contortus larvae.
Viable Haemonchus contortus larvae used as a source of antigen in complement fixation tests showed a decrease in antigenic potency following storage for approximately two months at 5 degrees C. In contrast, larvae killed by freezing and stored at --15 degree C showed no such decline over a similar period. It is suggested that this loss of potency with ageing may be partly responsible for increased worm populations in sheep in spring.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003168:Complement Fixation Tests; D005615:Freezing; D006189:Haemonchus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D007814:Larva / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D011309:Preservation, Biological; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014251:Trichostrongyloidea / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens