Studies on Precipitin-Production and Anaphylactic Sensitization in Guinea-Pigs

Abstract

It has been generally considered that the guinea-pig is a poor producer of precipitins (1, 2). Recently, Colwell and Youmans (3) stated that they were unable to detect circulating precipitins in guinea-pigs given multiple intraäbdominal injections of crystalline egg albumin, but were able to obtain precipitins for sheep serum proteins. It is, however, recognized that the guinea-pig is highly susceptible to anaphylactic sensitization. The possibility that the method of administration of the antigen was a factor influencing the ability of this species of animal to produce precipitins was considered. Groups of guinea-pigs were injected with crystalline egg-albumin either by the intraäbdominal or intracardial route, or given intramuscular injections of the antigen adsorbed on aluminum-hydroxide-cream (4). Procedure. (a) Adult guinea-pigs, weighing 350–500 grams, were used. Thirteen animals were injected intraäbdominally, four times at 3-day intervals with a solution containing 5 mg (0.5 ml of a 1 per cent solution) of 4-times-recrystallized egg-albumin.