AGE-RELATED IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS IN CYNOMOLGUS MONKEYS

Abstract
Serum Ig levels were measured with 144 domestically-bred cynomolgus monkeys, aged 0 days-18 yr. IgG level of the newborn just after birth was somewhat lower than that of their mother monkeys, continuing to decrease for 3 postnatal mo. The level began to increase gradually until 4-5 yr when an adult level was attained. IgA was detected on the day of birth in half of the animals and started to increase soon after birth, reaching an adult level in 5-6 yr. A relatively low level of IgM was detected in all animals at birth. The increase of IgM level continued till 5 years of age. These patterns of Ig levels related to age are very similar to those of rhesus monkeys and humans.