IMMUNOGLOBULIN LEVELS IN WHITE AND METIS COMMUNITIES IN SASKATCHEWAN

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 29  (3) , 447-456
Abstract
Serum immunoglobulin [Ig] levels (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE) were studied in white and metis (Cree Indian) communities in Saskatchewan [Canada]. The levels of IgG, IgA, IgD and IgE were higher in the metis than in the whites. IgG and IgM were higher in females than in males. IgG and IgA levels rose progressively with age. IgM levels rose rapidly during the 1st yr to almost adult levels, and then fell gradually after the age of 30. IgE levels also rose rapidly during the first 3 yr of life, were higher on average in children than in adults, and fell to adult levels at puberty. Low levels of IgA were associated with high levels of IgG; they were not associated with high levels of IgE or an increase in the prevalence of asthma.