Chicken Egg Yolk Antibodies (IgY) as an Alternative to Mammalian Antibodies

Chicken eggs present an ideal alternative antibody source to mammals, as the IgY in the chicken's blood is transported to the egg and accumulates in the egg yolk in large quantities. The existence of an IgG like molecule in avian eggs, referred to as IgY, has been well documented in recent studies and extensive research has been carried out on its characterization, production and purification. The yolks of eggs laid by immunized chicken have been recognized as an excellent source of polyclonal antibodies for over a decade. This simple non invasive approach presents an appealing alternative to conventional polyclonal antibody production methods. The use of immunoglobulin therapy broadens the arsenal available to combat pathogens in medicine and IgY is a promising candidate, both as an alternative to antibiotics and as a useful tool in research and diagnostics.