Abstract
Small laboratory animals were experimentally inoculated with bovine leukemia virus (BLV). Antibodies against BLV were detected in rabbits and guinea pigs. In the rabbits inoculated with leukocytes from a BLV-infected cow, the antibody titers against BLV glycoprotein (gp) increased within 2 months after inoculation and persisted for more than 7 months in the range between 2 and 128. Infective BLV was not detected in peripheral blood leukocytes from these animals by the syncytium induction assay. However, sheep and rabbits inoculated with leukocytes or blood from BLV-antibody positive rabbits, developed gp antibodies against BLV. These results show that rabbits are susceptible to BLV but not as sensitive as cattle and sheep. However, the rabbit would be applicable as an experimental animal for the study of enzootic bovine leukosis.
