Chicks depend on maternal antibodies as the main source of passive natural humoral protection until they become immunocompetent. Immunoglobulin Y (IgY), the avian homologue of mammalian IgG is transferred from the circulation of the hen into the egg yolk and then absorbed by the embryo. In the post-hatching period, protein integrity within the yolk sac is critical for normal absorption of the yolk sac content and for IgY transfer to the circulation of the chick. Factors affecting transfer of IgY to the chick may threaten the chick's immune status and increase disease susceptibility during the early post-hatching period. Here we review basic concepts of IgY with special emphasis on the mechanisms of IgY transfer to egg yolk and yolk sac during embryonic development and first days post-hatching.
AhnD.U., KimS.M., and ShuH. (1997) Effect of egg size and strain and age of hens on the solids content of chicken eggs. Poult. Sci., 76, 914–919.
2.
Al-NatourM.Q., WardL.A., SaifY.M., Stewart-BrownB., and KeckL.D. (2004) Effect of different levels of maternally derived antibodies on protection against infectious bursal disease virus. Avian Dis., 48, 177–182.
3.
BarnesJ. H., VaillancourtJ. P., and GrossW. B.2003. Colibacillosis. In: SaifY.M., BarnesH.J., FadlyA.M., GlissonJ.R., McDougaldL.R., and SwayneD.E. (eds), Diseases of poultry, 11th edn, pp. 631–656. Blackwell Publishing, Ames.
4.
BenĉinaD., NaratM., BidovecA., and Zorman-RojsO. (2005) Transfer of maternal immunoglobulins and antibodies to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae to the allantoic and amniotic fluid of chicken embryos. Avian Pathol., 34, 463–472.
5.
BrambellR.1970. Transmission of immunity in birds. In: NeubergerA., and TatumE.L. (eds), The transmission of passive immunity from mother to young, pp. 20–41. North-Holland Publishing Company, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
6.
BrierleyJ., and HemmingsW.A. (1956) The selective transport of antibodies from the yolk sac to the circulation of the chick. J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol., 4, 34–41.
7.
CarlanderD., WilhelmsonM., and LarssonA. (2003) Immunoglobulin Y levels in egg yolk from three chicken genotypes. Food Agric. Immunol., 15, 35–40.
8.
CawthrawS.A., and NewellD.G. (2010) Investigation of the presence and protective effects of maternal antibodies against Campylobacter jejuni in chickens. Avian Dis., 54, 86–93.
9.
ChalghoumiR., BeckersI., PortetelleD., and ThéwisA. (2009) Hen egg yolk antibodies (IgY), production and use for passive immunization against bacterial enteric infections in chicken: a review. Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Envir., 13, 295–308.
10.
CherianG. (2008) Egg quality and yolk polyunsaturated fatty acid status in relation to broiler breeder hen age and dietary n-3 oils. Poult. Sci., 87, 1131–1137.
11.
CovaL. (2005) DNA-designed avian IgY antibodies: novel tools for research, diagnosis and therapy. J. Clin. Virol., 34 Suppl. 1, S70–S74.
12.
CoxN.A., RichardsonL.J., BuhrR.J., NorthcuttJ.K., FairchildB.D., and MauldinJ.M. (2006) Presence of inoculated Campylobacter and Salmonella in unabsorbed yolks of male breeders raised as broilers. Avian Dis., 50, 430–433.
13.
CrouchC.F., WthanageG.S.K., de HassV., EtoréF., and FrancisM.J. (2010) Safety and efficacy of maternal vaccine for the passive protection of broiler chicks against necrotic enteritis. Avian Pathol., 39, 489–497.
14.
DavisonF., MagorK.E., KaspersB.2008. Structure and evolution of avian immunoglobulins. In: DavisonF., KaspersB., and SchatK.A. (eds), Avian immunology, pp. 107–127. Academic Press, London, UK.
15.
DeemingD.C.1991. Egg turning in birds and reptiles. In: DeemingD.C., and FergusonM.J. (eds), Egg incubation: its effects on embryonic development in birds and reptiles, pp. 307–323. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
16.
DeemingD.C., ClyburnV., WilliamsK., and DixonR.A. (2002) In Ovo microbial contamination of the yolk sac of unhatched broiler and pheasant embryos. Avian Poult. Biol. Res., 13, 240–241.
17.
DeemingD.C. (2005) Yolk sac, body dimensions and hatchling quality of ducklings, chicks and poults. Br. Poult. Sci., 46, 560–564.
18.
Gómez-VerduzcoG., TéllezG., QuintanaA.L., IsibasiA., and Ortiz-NavarreteV. (2010) Humoral immune response in breeding hens and protective immunity provided by administration of purified Samonella Gallinarum proteins. Poult. Sci., 89, 495–500.
19.
GriffinH., PerryM. M., and GilbertA. B.1984. Yolk formation, In: BellD.J., and FremanB.M., (eds), Physiology and biochemistry of domestic fowl, pp. 385–380. Academic Press, London.
20.
HamalK.R., BurgessS.C., PevznerI.Y., and ErfG.F. (2006) Maternal antibody transfer from dams to their egg yolks, egg whites and chicks in meat lines of chickens. Poult. Sci., 85, 1364–1372.
21.
HellerE.D., LeitnerG., DrabkinN., and MelamedD. (1990) Passive immunization of chicks against Escherichia coli. Avian Pathol., 19, 345–354.
22.
KlempererF. (1893) Uber natürliche Immunität und ihre Verwerthung für die Immunisierungstherapie. Arc. Exptl. Pathol. Pharmakol., 31, 356–382.
23.
Kovacs-NolanJ., PhillipsM., and MineY. (2005) Advances in the value of eggs and egg components for human health. J. Agric. Food Chem., 53, 8421–8431.
24.
KowalczykK., DaissJ., HalpernJ., and RothT.F. (1985) Quantitation of maternal-fetal IgG transport in the chicken. Immunology, 54, 755–762.
25.
KramerT.T., and ChoH.C. (1970) Transfer of immunoglobulins and antibodies in the hen's egg. Immunology, 19, 157–167.
26.
LawrenceE.C., Arnaud-BattandierF., GraysonJ., KoskiI.R., DooleyN.J., MuchmoreA.V., and BlaeseR.M. (1981) Ontogeny of humoral immune function in normal chickens: a comparison of immunoglobulin-secreting cells in bone marrow, spleen, lungs and intestine. Clin. Exp. Immunol., 43, 450–457.
27.
LeeS.H., LillehojH.S., ParkD.W., JangS.I., MoralesA., GarciaD., LucioE., LariosR., VictoriaG., MarrufoD., and LillehojE.P. (2009) Induction of passive immunity in broiler chickens against Eimeria acervulina by hyperimmune egg yolk immunoglobulin Y. Poult. Sci., 88, 562–566.
28.
LeslieG.A., and ClemL.W. (1969) Phylogeny of immunoglobulin structure and function: III immunoglobulins of the chicken. J. Exp. Med., 130, 1337–1352.
29.
LiX., NakanoT., SunwooH.H., PaekB.H., and SimJ.S. (1998) Effects of egg and yolk weights on yolk antibody (IgY) production in laying chickens. Poult. Sci., 77, 266–270.
30.
LindenC.D., and RothT.F. (1978) IgG receptors on foetal chick yolk sac. J. Cell Sci., 33, 317–328.
31.
MaasR., RosemaS., van ZoelenD., and VenemaS. (2011) Maternal immunity against avian influenza H5N1 in chickens: limited protection and interference with vaccine efficacy. Avian Pathol., 40, 87–92.
32.
McCormackW.T., TjoelkerL.W., and ThompsonC.B. (1991) Avian B-cell development: generation of an immunoglobulin repertoire by gene conversion. Annu. Rev. Immunol., 9, 219–241.
33.
MondalS.P., and NaqiS.A. (2001) Maternal antibody to infectious bronchitis virus: its role in protection against infection and development of active immunity to vaccine. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol., 79, 31–40.
34.
MorrisonS.L., MohammedM.S., WimsL.A., TrinhR., and EtchesR. (2001) Sequences in antibody molecules important for receptor-mediated transport into the chicken egg yolk. Mol. Immunol., 38, 619–625.
35.
NakanoT., IkawaN.I., and OzimekL. (2003) Chemical composition of chicken eggshell and shell membranes. Poult. Sci., 82, 510–514.
36.
NoyY., and SklanD. (2001) Yolk and exogenous feed utilization in the posthatch chick. Poult. Sci., 80, 1490–1495.
37.
OrlansE. (1967) Fowl Antibody VIII. A comparison of natural, primary and secondary erythrocytes in hen sera; their transmission to yolk and chick. Immunology, 12, 27–37.
38.
OtakiY., SaitoK., TajimaM., and NomuraY. (1992) Persistence of maternal antibody to chicken anaemia agent and its effect on the susceptibilty of young chickens. Avian Pathol., 21, 147–151.
39.
ParkinsonT.L. (1966) The chemical composition of eggs. J. Sci. Fd. Agric., 17, 101–111.
40.
PattersonR., YoungnerJ.S., WeigleW.O., and DixonF.J. (1962a) The Metabolism of Serum Proteins in the Hen and Chick and Secretion of Serum Proteins by the Ovary of the Hen. J. Gen. Physiol., 45, 501–513.
41.
PattersonR., YoungnerJ.S., WeigleW.O., and DixonF.J. (1962b) Antibody production and transfer to egg yolk in chickens. J. Immunol., 89, 272–278.
42.
PaulyD., DornerM., ZhangX., HlinakA., DornerB., and SchadeR. (2009) Monitoring of laying capacity, immunoglobulin Y concentration and antibody titer development in chickens immunized with ricin and botulinum toxins over a two-year period. Poult. Sci., 88, 281–290.
43.
QureshiM.A., HussainI., and HeggenC.L. (1998) Understanding immunology in disease development and control. Poult. Sci., 77, 1126–1129.
44.
RaiM.F., KhanS.A., AslamA., and SaeedK. (2005) Effects of yolk sac infection in chicken. Avian Poult. Biol. Rev., 16, 87–93.
45.
RatcliffeM.J.H. (2006) Antibodies, immunoglobulin genes and the bursa of Fabricius in chicken B cell development. Dev. Comp. Immunol., 30, 101–118.
46.
RenemaR. A., and RobinsonF. E.2003. Female reproduction: yolk formation. In: RobinsonF.E., FasenkoG.M., and RenemaR.A. (eds), Optimizing chick production in broiler breeders, 1st edn, pp. 19–24. Spotted Cow Press Ltd., Edmonton.
47.
RomanoffA. L.1960. The extraembryonic membranes. In: The avian embryo; structural and functional development, pp. 1042–1081. Macmillan, New York.
48.
Rosario CortésC., TéllezI.G., López CuelloC., Villaseca FloresJ.M., AndersonR.C., and Eslava CamposC. (2004) Bacterial isolation rate from fertile eggs, hatching eggs and neonatal broilers with yolk sac infection. Rev. Latinoam. Microbiol., 46, 12–16.
49.
RosarioC.C., PuenteJ.L., Verdugo-RodriguezA., andersonR.C., and EslavaC.C. (2005) Phenotypic characterization of ipaH+ Escherichia coli strains associated with yolk sac infection. Avian Dis., 49, 409–417.
50.
RosarioC. C., and EslavaC. C.2008. Kinetic growth essay of an ExIEC (extraintestinal invasive Escherichia coli) strains isolated from chickens with yolk sac infection. Poult. Sci., 87 (Suppl. 1), 166–166. (Abstr.).
51.
RoseM.A., OrlansE., and ButtressM. (1974) Immunoglobulin classes in the hen's egg: their separation in yolk and white. Eur. J. Immunol., 4, 521–523.
52.
RoseM.E., and OrlansE. (1981) Immunoglobulins in the egg, embryo and young chick. Dev. Comp. Immunol., 5, 15–20.
53.
SaariA., PowrieW.D., and FennemaO. (1964) Isolation and characterization of low-density lipoproteins in native egg yolk plasma. J. Food Sci., 29, 307–315.
54.
SanderJ.E., WillinghanE.M., WilsonJ.L., and ThayerS.G. (1998) The effect of inoculating Enterococcus faecalis into the yolk sac on chick quality and maternal antibody absorption. Avian Dis., 42, 359–363.
55.
SchaafsmaA., PakanI., HofstedeG.J., MuskietF.A., Van Der VeerE., and De VriesP.J. (2000) Mineral, amino acid and hormonal composition of chicken eggshell powder and the evaluation of its use in human nutrition. Poult. Sci., 79, 1833–1838.
56.
SchadeR., and ChacanaP. A.2007. Livetin fractions (IgY), In: HuopalahtiR., López-FandiñoR., AntonM., and SchadeR., (eds), Bioactive egg compounds, pp. 25–32. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
57.
SharmanP.A., SmithN.C., WallachM.G., and KatribM. (2010) Chasing the golden egg: vaccination against poultry coccidiosis. Parasite Immunol., 32, 590–598.
58.
ShimizuM., NagashimaH., SanoK., HashimotoK., OzekiM., TsudaK., and HattaH. (1992) Molecular stability of chicken and rabbit immunoglobulin G. Biosci. Biotechnol. Biochem., 56, 270–274.
59.
SpeakeB.K., MurrayA.M.B., and NobleR.C. (1998) Transport and transformations of yolk lipids during development of the avian embryo. Prog. Lipid Res., 37, 1–32.
60.
SunwooH.H., NakanoT., DixonW.T., and SimJ.S. (1996) Immune responses in chickens against lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Poult. Sci., 75, 342–345.
61.
SzaboCs., BardosL., LosonczyS., and KarcheszK. (1998) Isolation of antibodies from chicken and quail eggs. INABIS ‘98 - 5th Internet World Congress on Biomedical Sciences, Hamilton, ON, Canada. http://www.mcmaster.ca/inabis98/immunology/szabo0509/index.html
62.
TesarD.B., CheungE.J., and BjorkmanP. (2008) The chicken yolk sac IgY receptor, a mammalian mannose receptor family member, transcytoses IgY across polarized epithelial cells. Mol. Biol. Cell, 19, 1587–1593.
63.
TresslerR., and RothT. (1987) IgG receptors on the embryonic chick yolk sac. J. Biol. Chem., 262, 15406–15412.
64.
Ulmer-FrancoA.M., FasenkoG.M., and O'Dea ChristopherE.E. (2010) Hatching egg characteristics, chick quality and broiler performance at 2 breeder flock ages and from 3 egg weights. Poult. Sci., 89, 2735–2742.
65.
WardE.S. (2004) Acquiring maternal immunoglobulin: different receptors, similar functions. Immunity, 20, 507–508.
66.
WarrG.W., MagorK.E., and HigginsD.A. (1995) IgY: clues to the origins of modern antibodies. Immunol. Today, 16, 392–398.
67.
WestA.P., HerrA.B., and BjorkmanP.J. (2004) The chicken yolk sac IgY receptor, a functional equivalent of the mammalian MHC-related Fc receptor, is a phospholipase A2 receptor homolog. Immunity, 20, 601–610.
68.
WilliamsJ. (1962) Serum proteins and the livetins in hen's-egg yolk. Biochem. J., 83, 346–355.
69.
YasudaM., FurusawaS., MatsudaH., TauraY., UranoT., YokomizoY., and EkinoS. (1998) Development of maternal IgG-free chick obtained from surgically bursectomized hens. Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis., 21, 191–200.
