Immunoelectrophoretic Analysis of the Serum of Germfree Rats

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Abstract
Summary: By using immunoelectrophoretic techniques and anti-germfree rat and anti-conventional rat immune rabbit sera it was shown that the serum of germfree rats contains the same major antigenic components observed in the serum of conventional rats. Certain constituents, especially those of low mobility, are present in such small amounts that detection is difficult, even with methods as sensitive as specific precipitation. Only small amounts of γ-globulin were detectable by direct analysis. These “germfree” γ-globulins showed a relatively high mobility. Injection of germfree rat serum into rabbit produced the entire spectrum of “anti-γ” antibody otherwise found upon immunization with conventional rat serum.