Quantitative Studies on Salivary Blood Group Substances

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Abstract
An automated system for the quantitation of salivary blood group substances has been used to determine the concentration of ABH and Lea substances in the saliva of a normal population. The method and serological conditions employed make a clear and qualitative division of the population into ABH secretors and nonsecretors. Age from 10 to 80 years and sex do not influence concentration. There is a significant difference in mean A, B and H concentrations when individuals are grouped according to ABO types. Within these groups the ranges of values represent, for the most part, further individual differences rather than the sum of methodological and sampling variables. The mean concentration of Lea substance in individuals of the 3 major red cell Lewis types: Le(a+b‐), Le(a‐b+) and Le(a‐b‐) are markedly different but there is no influence of ABO type on Lea concentration. The method has made it possible to set forth in relatively accurate and in quantitative terms the magnitude of these differences and the ranges of normal.