Maternally-Derived Antibodies Protect against Challenge with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus of the H7N3 Subtype

Vaccination of hens against influenza leads to the transfer of protective maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) to hatchlings. However, little is known about the transfer of H7N3 vaccine-induced MDA. Here, we evaluated transfer, duration, and protective effect of MDA in chickens against H7N3 HPAIV. To generate chickens with MDA (MDA (+)), 15-week-old White Leghorn hens were vaccinated and boosted twice with an inactivated H7N3 low pathogenic avian...