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The quantity and quality of antigen-specific IgE against purified major allergens from cow hair and dander was measured by a double-antibody radioimmunoassay. In serum from patients with allergic asthma to cow the affinity constant varied from 1 to 150 × 109 l/mol and the number of antibody combining sites from 0.01 to 0.4 × 10-9 mol/l serum for each antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative immunoelectrophoretic methods were used for the analysis of the allergens in cow hair and dander and for comparison with related preparations. The immunoelectrophoretic precipitation pattern of an extract from cow hair and dander showed 17 precipitates. Crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis showed four of these to be major allergens of the extract, and these allergens are common major allergens in four investigated cow breeds. The allergens are associated predominantly with hair and dander, but they were also demonstrated in cow saliva, urine, whey, amniotic fluid and beef, as well as in cow-hide products. Allergens displaying partial immunological identity with the major allergens of cow hair and dander were found in extracts from goat and sheep pelts, in products made of these materials such as carpet and knitting wool, and in carpets made of animal hair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative immunoelectrophoresis used for the analysis of a diaivsed. cemrifuged and trceze-dried extract irom cow hair and dander revealed 17 antigens. Five of these were identified as serum proteins. Partial identity to antigens of serum and extract from hair and dander of goat, sheep, swine, horse, dog, cat and guinea pig, and to antigens of house dust was demonstrated. Sera from 36 patients with manifest allergy to cow hair and dander selected on the basis of case history, RAST, skin and provocation test, were examined in crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE); sera from five persons with high serum IgE, but without allergy to cow hair and dander, and sera from five normal individuals were controls. 31/36 of the sera contained IgE with specific affinity for two of the antigens of the extract. Further, two major and six minor allergens were identified. The control sera showed no specific IgE binding. A significant positive correlation was found between RAST and CRIE for the first group of patients. The approximate molecular weights of the four major allergens obtained by means of gel chromatography were; 2.4 × 104, 2× 104, 2×104 dalton, respectively Using Con-A and Con-A Sepharose in crossed immunoaffinoelectrophoresis, eight of the antigens were revealed to contain groups with affinity for Con-A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]