Naturally acquired tolerance to dietary antigen: effect of in utero and perinatal exposure on subsequent humoral immune competence in the rat.
Inbred PVG strain rats were used to investigate the effects of dietary exposure to ovalbumin during the early stages of development on the subsequent induction of ovalbumin-specific antibody responses. An ovalbumin-containing diet was administered to rats during pregnancy and/or for scheduled periods during lactation. All offspring were weaned onto a conventional diet and subsequently challenged parenterally and/or orally with ovalbumin. The effects of the various feeding regimens on the subsequent reaginic, biliary and serum anti-ovalbumin antibody response were examined. Animals exposed to ovalbumin during gestation and/or the post-partum period presented increased levels of biliary anti-ovalbumin antibody activity yet remained systemically tolerant to this antigen following parenteral challenge. These findings are discussed in relation to possible mechanisms responsible for promoting naturally acquired tolerance to dietary antigens.
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007121:Immunocompetence; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000941:Antigens; D010047:Ovalbumin