Characteristics of the maternal lymphoid response of mice to paternal strain antigens induced by homologous pregnancy.

Mice mated with H-2 incompatible males were shown to have an increased frequency of specific allocluster forming spleen cells to paternal strain erythrocytes. The time course of the response was similar to that expected following a skin allograft. The graft-versus-host responsiveness of the maternal lymphocytes was generally elevated in the post-partum period in matings with males incompatible at either the H2 locus or non-H2 loci. The implications of these responses with respect to their different lymphocyte mediators and possible interactions are discussed with the view that a B-cell mediated immune response to paternal antigens may be contributory to foetal survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]