Abstract
A hormone-influenced serum protein (Hip) has been detected in some laying hens, and a “naturally” occurring anti-Hip antibody has been found in some hens lacking Hip. Hip has a molecular weight of about 150,000 and migrates as a β globulin in immunoelectrophoresis. Anti-Hip is an IgG antibody. Hip occurs with high frequency in certain families, indicating a possible genetic influence or expression. Treatment with progesterone induced synthesis of Hip in both females and males, but anti-Hip was produced only in females. Several factors that may be responsible for this “protein-anti protein” system are discussed.

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