Genetic Analysis of some Immunological Traits in Young Bulls

Abstract

Bulls from a testing station, comprising 137 animals from 113 to 420 days of age, were inoculated twice with human serum albumin (HSA). The antibody titers against HSA and the total serum immunoglobulin levels were evaluated by the single radial diffusion technique. Heritability estimates indicated a genetic influence on both the immunoglobulin level and the antibody response. The influence on the primary response appeared to be the strongest one.