The Incidence of Antigen J in Cattle and the Production of Anti-J by Isoimmunization

Abstract

The study of the incidence of the J antigen in cattle demonstrated that 55.3% of the cattle tested possessed the antigen in the soluble form. In hemolytic tests for the cellular antigen, 34.5% of the animals reacted with one serum and 23.9% reacted with the other serum. Thirty-seven % of the J-positive animals were not detectable by the hemolytic test. The naturally occurring antibody was detectable in the serum of 23.5% of the animals at the time they were tested. It was impossible to demonstrate either antigen or antibody in the serum of 21.2% of the animals. These animals are thought to be capable of producing antibody for J antigen. Isoimmunization, with the J antigen in the form of whole blood, plasma-free red blood cells, and cell-free plasma, stimulated the production of antibodies specific for the J antigen.