2012 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416): To evaluate vaccine adjuvants using Neospora caninum antigens in the mouse model of neosporosis. Due to the recent restructuring of the research project plan objectives, the original Objectives for this agreement have been updated to reflect the following:. 1)Neospora caninum antigens will NOT be used in this research, and. 2)nematode parasite antigens will be used for the evaluation of adjuvants produced by the cooperator in the mouse and small ruminant models. 1b.Approach (from AD-416): Neospora caninum antigens will be formulated with Pfizer adjuvants and used to immunize the mouse model (BALB/C) of neosporosis. Humoral (antibody response) and cell-mediated immunities (T cell and cytokine response) of the immunized mice will be determined in vitro. Due to recent changes in the research project objectives, the original Approach of this Trust Agreement has been updated to reflect the following:. 1)Neospora caninum antigens will NOT be used in this research, and. 2)nematode parasite antigens will be formulated in adjuvants (5-10 adjuvants favoring Th2 responses) produced by Pfizer, Inc., mice and small ruminants will be immunized and immune responses to nematode antigens will be characterized. 3.Progress Report: Different adjuvants provided by Pfizer, Inc. were formulated with parasitic antigens using either oil- or water-based adjuvants and tested in mice. Mice were immunized with the formulations twice at 3-week intervals and then were evaluated for antibody and cell-mediated immune responses against the parasitic antigens. Overall, oil-based adjuvants were more potent than water-based adjuvants in eliciting specific immune responses. The top 2-3 adjuvants will be selected for further testing in ruminants. In addition, adjuvants favoring an anti-gastrointestinal tract parasite response will be formulated by Pfizer, Inc. for additional testing.