This first edited Volume on IgY-Technology, addresses the historical and dynamic development of IgY-applications. The authors cover the biological basis and theoretical context, methodological guidance, and applications of IgY-Technology. A focus is laid on the use of IgY-antibodies for prophylactic/therapeutic purposes in human and veterinary medicine. Aside from applications, the chapters also offer an evolutionary understanding of the IgY molecule, IgY receptors and practical prerequisites to produce IgY-antibodies. Guidance is given for every step of the process. Starting with an introduction to hens as a model species and including hen husbandry, hen egg-laying capacity and total IgY outcomes. Readers will also learn about immunization techniques, the advantages and limitations of different IgY extraction methods, as well as storage stability of the final product. The last part of the volume highlights hands-on aspects of applications, such as IgY delivery strategies, new methods to produce monoclonal IgY-antibodies or production of functional IgY fragments by phage-display as well as commercial exploitation of the technology. Thus, this book is a valuable resource and guide for Scientists, Clinicians and Health Product Developers in both human and veterinary medicine.

Polyclonal antibodies, widely used in research and diagnostics, are conventionally isolated from the blood of immunised mammals. The fact that antibodies can also be detected in the yolk of eggs laid by immunised hens, led to the development of the yolk antibody technology as an alternative method less stressful to animals. Hens can be kept under nearly natural conditions and antibodies be isolated from the eggs.
Further, the IgY-technology has the advantage that avian antibodies can be produced against several antigens which do not induce a immune response in mammals. Protocols on how to keep and immunise hens and on the extraction, isolation and use of antibodies from yolk are described in detail in this manual.
For their work on yolk antibodies the authors received the FISEA (International Foundation for the Substitution of Animal Experimentation, Luxembourg) prize in 1997.

Bioactive Egg Compounds presents the latest results and concepts in the biotechnological use of egg compounds. Following an introduction to the different compounds of egg white, yolk and shell, the nutritive value of egg compounds is discussed. The text describes procedures for processing egg compounds to improve their nutritive value, including so-called enriched eggs. Also described is the isolation and application of egg compounds with special properties, such as antibiotic action.

Bioactive Egg Compounds presents the latest results and concepts in the biotechnological use of egg compounds. Following an introduction to the different compounds of egg white, yolk and shell, the nutritive value of egg compounds is discussed. The text describes procedures for processing egg compounds to improve their nutritive value, including so-called enriched eggs. Also described is the isolation and application of egg compounds with special properties, such as antibiotic action.