Effect of Tris(Beta-Chloroethyl)Amine on Antibody-Production in Goats

Abstract

The serum antibody-content of goats which had been actively immunized against ricin was allowed to decline by cessation of antigen administration. When serum antibody had reached negative levels of activity, the injection of a single stimulating dose of ricin caused a prompt increase in circulating antibodies such that within one week levels were obtained equal to or greater than previous maxima. However, if immune goats with negative antibody-levels were injected with chronic, leucopenic doses of the nitrogen mustard, tris(beta-chloroethyl)amine, before the administration of the stimulating dose of ricin, anamnestic responses were delayed in all animals and in a few actually decreased by comparison with the responses of controls. The fact that prior treatment with amine mustard influenced the course of anamnesis was discussed in relation to the untoward effect of the treatment on leucopoietic tissues. It was considered reasonable to attribute untoward change in anamnestic response to a direct toxic action of the agent on leucopoietic tissues which was not mediated by primary stimulation of the adrenal cortex.