IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF HUMAN SERUM GAMMA GLOBULINS*

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Abstract
Procedures for the quantitative estimation of gamma globulins in human sera used in this laboratory are presented. Data suggesting the adequate homogeneity of a gamma globulin preparation for use in immunochemical estimations are presented. Normal values for the gamma globulin concentration in newborns, infants, children and adults, as determined by immunochemical methods, are presented and compared with electrophoretic values. Gamma globulin concentrations in 16 patients with agammaglobulinemia are shown. The half-life of injected gamma globulin in 4 congenitally agammaglobulinemic patients, as determined by the immunochemical method, is documented. The assumption of gamma globulin synthesis and immunological responsibility in the unique instance of a normal offspring of an agammaglobulinemic patient is described and compared with a "reciprocal" instance of an agammaglobulinemic offspring of an immunologically normal female. The rate of decline of gamma globulin concentration during the first 2.5 months of life observed in an immunologically normal child was found to be similar to that of parenterally injected gamma globulin in agammaglobulinemic patients and similar to the decline of gamma globulin concentration observed during the neonatal period in an agammaglobulinemic child.