Serum Groups in Rabbits.

By immunizing rabbits with bacteria agglutinated by corresponding immune rabbit sera group iso-precipitins were obtained. Using the iso-precipitins thus obtained the rabbit sera could be divided into two serum groups: D (a+) and D (a−); for grouping the gel diffusion technique was applied. The serum groups are heritable; probably group D (a+) mothers can transfer Da protein non-genetically. The substance thus obtained is then gradually eliminated from the bloodstream of the young animal. Da antigen has γglobulin electrophoretic mobility as shown by means of immunoelectrophoresis. The incidence of group D(a+) in 92 unrelated rabbits was 27·2 per cent. The authors discuss the relationship between iso-precipitins and anti-bodies and the practical significance of rabbit serum groups analogous to human Gm serum groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]