Antibody production: Low dose immunogen vs. low incorporation hapten using salmeterol as a model.

Haptens are low molecular weight compounds that are non-immunogenic and so must be conjugated to carrier molecules to elicit an immune response. Doses of 50-1000 microg protein conjugate have been suggested for immunisation of rabbits with hapten-protein immunogens. Although larger doses may give a faster response, lower doses may result in higher affinity antibodies.