Department of Veterinary Parasitology, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal-673 001, India.
*E-Mail: gponnu@redifmail.com
†Part of Ph.D. Thesis, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, by the first author, Ph: 91 4286 266 491, Fax: 91 4286 266 484.
Midgut antigens derived from partially engorged adult female ticks of Hylomma marginatum isaaci were purified by gel filtration chromatography and used to immunize cross bred bovine (Bos indicus × Bos taurus) calves. The calves that received midgut antigen with saponin as adjuvant (saponin group) showed better immune response, in terms of immediate rejection and a significant mortality of adult ticks as compared to the calves of the group which received antigen with montanide and calves of the control group. The feeding and reproductive performances were also significantly reduced in ticks fed on saponin group of calves.
Midgut antigen, Hyalomma marginatum isaaci, Bovine calves, Immunization
