TWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL EASTERN FISH HEALTH WORKSHOP JOHN CARVER INN, PLYMOUTH, MA 30 MARCH - 2 APRIL, 1998 An ELISA Technique For The Analyses Of Antibody Responses For Any Species Steven L. Kaattari Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA 23062 Analysis of antibody responses by ELISA traditionally requires immunoglobulin (Ig) reagents specific for the species under study. In lieu of such reagents for summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrhynchus), responses were analyzed via competition with a trout antiserum within an ELISA format. Titers were determined by inhibiting the binding of a standard trout antibody with dilutions of flounder or sturgeon antisera to the same antigen (trinitrophenyl hapten). The degree of inhibition was then determined by quantifying the amount of bound trout antibody using an anti-trout Ig reagent. In this manner antibody titers in flounder, sturgeon, as well as other species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus) were ascertained. Thus, antisera of different species can be titrated and the relative antigen-bonding capacity directly compared. This work was funded by Virginia Sea Grant R/MG-97-1   Return to 23rd Annual Eastern Fish Health Workshop Return to Leetown Science Center Home Page