STUDIES ON CHANGES IN QUALITY OF RABBIT-BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN ANTIBODY FOLLOWING IMMUNIZATION

Abstract

Dissociation rate measurements were determined on antisera following single and multiple intravenous injections of antigen and after injection of antigen incorporated into adjuvant. It was found that regardless of the amount, route, or number of injections the dissociation characteristics of all sera were similar, reaching the same maximum binding strength within the same time period following immunization. The relative production of 19S and 7S antibody was studied and it was found: (a) insufficient 19S antibody is formed for the change in dissociation characteristics that occur following immunization: (b) at the same stage of immunization, 19S and 7S antibody have similar rates of dissociation from antigen, but 19S antibody combines more slowly with antigen than 7S antibody; (c) the haemagglutination technique shows no correlation with binding or precipitin methods when estimates as to the relative amounts of 19S and 7S antibody present in sera are made.