Haemolysis in chicken serum. I. The ionic environment.

  • 1 August 1973
    • journal article
    • Vol. 25  (2) , 167-77
Abstract
Immune haemolysis in chicken serum was examined using rabbit cells, sensitized with chicken antibody. Salt concentration was a major influence on complement activity: titres were greatly increased at ionic strengths which sustain negligible activity of human, rabbit, or guinea-pig complements. Sensitivity of the assay was also increased if standard Mg+ + was lowered to 7.5 × 10-4 M and Ca+ + increased to 6–9 × 10-4 M. Cobalt ion and Ba+ + facilitated complement activity; Ni+ + did not. Cobalt ion seemed to act as an Mg+ + substitute, and barium as a replacement for Ca+ +. The kinetics of haemolysis in this system resembled those of human complement: a rapid initial rate, followed by a slower one, but no levelling off at 4 hours.