A Further Study of Blood Groups of the Rabbit

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The allelo-morphic hemagglutinogens, H1 and H2, produce the 4 blood groups of the rabbit demonstrable by immune serum. H1 and H2 agglutinogens were demonstrated not only in new-born rabbits but also in 15-day embryos. They are demonstrable in all cells bearing hemoglobin but are not present in any lacking it. Agglutination of H1 takes place only in the presence of its own specific antibody; likewise for H2. The antibody for H1 has no effect on H2, and vice versa. An agglutinogen and its specific antibody are not normally found in the same individual. The specific antibody is formed only when a blood possessing the agglutinogen in question is transferred to one lacking the agglutinogen. Agglutinogens Hi and H2 do not pass through the placenta, but their antibodies do quite readily. It is suggested that rabbits bearing agglutinogens do not develop demonstrable agglutinins, perhaps because the agglutinin is used up as fast as formed. Attempts to localize agglutinogens on or in the erythrocyte were fruitless. The H2 reaction is much stronger than the H,, but no differences in strength of reaction could be detected between cells heterozygous or homozygous for H1; likewise for H2. A mixture of H1 and H2 sera has the same properties as a bivalent H1H2 serum. It is suggested that specific agglutinins are not independently inherited characters but conditions corresponding to presence or absence of inherited agglutinogens.

This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit: