Specol

Specol is a water in oil adjuvant composed of defined and purified light mineral oil (Stills. 2005). It has been suggested as an alternative to Freund's adjuvant for hyperactivation of the immune response in rabbits (Leenaars et al. 1994). Specol can be used for antigens of low immunogenicity and can be administered equally effectively by the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal routes. The histological lesions produced are fewer than those produced by using Complete Freund's adjuvant. However, pain and distress following administration of these 2 adjuvants seem to be similar (based on limited data).

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There is no distributor of this product in the USA and it must be ordered directly from ID-DLO, Lelystad in The Netherlands.

• Leenaars PP, Hendriksen CF, Angulo AF, Koedam MA, Claassen E. (1994) Evaluation of several adjuvants as alternatives to the use of Freund's adjuvant in rabbits. Vet Immunol Immunopathol. 40(3):225-41.

• Stills H.F. (2005) Adjuvants and antibody production: dispelling the myths associated with Freund's complete and other adjuvants. ILAR journal. 46(3) 280-293