ORIGIN OF ANTI-HUMAN BLOOD GROUP B AGGLUTININS IN WHITE LEGHORN CHICKS

Abstract

While anti-human blood group B agglutinins are present in the majority of ordinary White Leghorn chicks by the age of 30 days, none could be demonstrated in germfree chicks up to the age of 60 days. Anti-B agglutinins in trace amounts were first found in germfree chicks 66 days old and increased to an average titer of about 1:2 by 91 days of age. This titer amounts to about 10 per cent of that found in ordinary chicks. The appearance of antibody in low titer is attributed to trace amounts of non-living antigenic contaminants penetrating the germfree barrier.