Antibodies are used for preventing several infectious diseases in food animals. Though, antibiotics can deal with infection however, their widespread usage may cause developments of resistance and can also get transferred to humans through animal products. Therefore, production of antibodies against infectious agents in the egg yolk could be an interesting alternative. The present study was conducted with a focus on producing the antibody against Escherichia coli E68 and H28 in egg yolk of laying hens, which are believed to be a cause for diarrhea and beriberi in piglets. The result received from the experiment were promising and have shown efficiency of antibody production in the range of 2-7.3% in the groups which are infected with E68 only and the one which was infected with both strains. The outcome of present research has revealed the potentiality of egg yolk in production of antibody for laying hens, could open a new approach for production of antibodies to manage diarrhea and beriberi

The present study evaluated the potential use of immunoglobulin prepared from egg yolk of chickens immunized with Escherichia coli K88 (IgY-Ec) in the control of E. coli K88 infection in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage. The binding activity of IgY-Ec against E. coli K88 surface protein was more specific and increased than control IgY. In infection assay of E. coli in macrophage, the specific IgY-Ec to E. coli K88 remarkably inhibited the phagocytic activity comparing to nonspecific IgY (p<0.001). In adherence assay, bacterial adhesion on macrophage cells was definitely reduced by preincubation of IgY-Ec compared with nonspecific IgY (p<0.05). These findings suggested that IgY-Ec have the protective effects against pathogens and IgY-based diets may have potential benefits for preventing or treating various infections in domestic animals.