A Comparison of Immunoglobulins and Antibody Production in the Normal and Thymectomized Mouse

Abstract

BALB/C mice thymectomized at 4 or at 21 days show lowered peripheral blood lymphocyte counts at 6 months and at 1 year. Their antibody responses to BSA, diphtheria toxoid and ovalbumin are subnormal. Antibodies to these three antigens reside primarily in IgA (β_2A, γ_1A), a β-globulin for which antibody function has not previously been described. Typhoid “O” agglutinin responses are normal in thymectomized mice, and this antibody is shown to reside in IgM (β_2M, γ_1M). Thymectomized mice show subnormal serum IgA levels but normal levels of IgM and IgG (γ₂, 7 S γ).