TESTING OF HEMOLYTIC COMPLEMENT COMPONENTS IN DOMESTIC-ANIMALS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 39  (8) , 1303-1308
Abstract
Total complement (C) and its components were assayed in the serum of 8 spp. of domestic animals, using commercially prepared cellular intermediates of sheep erythrocytes and functionally pure guinea pig and human components of the C system. The late-acting components (C6-C9) and C1 were detected in the 8 spp. The remaining C components were detected in carnivorous (dog and cat) and omnivorous (swine) animals. Undetectable or low titers of C4, C2, C3 and C5 were present in large herbivorous animals (cattle, horse, sheep and goat), indicating major differences in comparison with human or guinea pig components of C. Porcine serum contained an inhibiting substance which interfered with testing C2 and later-acting components at serum dilutions up to 1:100. All components except C2 were detected in chicken serum. The binding or activation (or both) of C4, C2, C3 and C5 is more species specific than is the binding or activation (or both) of other components. Requirements for species specificity between antibody and C1 were not detected. Presence of C1 inactivator was detected in bovine, caprine, equine and ovine sera. The CH50 (50% hemolysis) titers of C components tested in pooled serum samples from the 8 spp. of clinically healthy domestic animals were presented.