THE BLOOD OROWS OF MARINE ANIMALS
87
his species, and populations of individuals can be similarly treated to
obtain information pertaining to the population genetics of the blood
grouping antigens. Data compiled from the inheritance of blood
group antigens in families of known phenotypes compliment and
augment those obtained from population studies.
Blood group antigens are large molecules, several thousand of which
are scattered over the surface of an erythrocyte. They have been
difficult to characterize chemically, but it is known that the specificity
of those in the ABO system of man, and the J system of cattle resides
in the carbohydrate portion of a molecule that is probably a mucoprotein. Blood group antigens can also occur in solution in the serum
and body fluids of some genotypes. These soluble antigens include the
J antigen just referred to which has been demonstrated by Stormont
(1949) as unusual in that it is produced as soluble molecules in serum
which become adsorbed to the erythrocytes of cattle early in postnatal life. ’
The reader should note that the designation of antigens in different
species by the same symbol does not imply any relationship unless
this is explicitly stated. For example, the C antigens of the Pacific
sardine, Atlantic sea herring and tunas are not related through any
research to date.
B, Blood group antibodies
Blood group antigens are detected by their reactions with specific
antibodies. Teats for these reactions usually are designed to show
erythrocyte agglutination or lysis in the presence of antibodies.
Serums containing antibodies are obtained from four sources.
First, heteroirnmune antiserum prepared by injecting the erythrocytes
of selected individuals of the species being investigated into individuals
Of I ) second species. Such antiserums often contain a mixture of antibodies and must be absorbed with selected erythrocytes (me Section IV, D, 7) to obtain the kind of antibodies desired. Antiserums
.so absorbed are capable of detecting single kinds of antigenic
specificities and are termed reagents. Second, isaimmune antiamma
Prepared by injecting the erythrocytes of selected individuals of the
species being investigated into other individuals of the same species.
Such antiserums may contain more specific kinds of antibodies than
hehroimmune serums and often do not need to be absorbed in order
to serve as useful reagents. Third, the normal serums of some individuals of a species may provide antibodies reactive with antigens on
the erythrocytes of other individuals of the same species. Such antibodies, occurring without known antigenic stimulation, are termed
Q.B.-g
D
87
his species, and populations of individuals can be similarly treated to
obtain information pertaining to the population genetics of the blood
grouping antigens. Data compiled from the inheritance of blood
group antigens in families of known phenotypes compliment and
augment those obtained from population studies.
Blood group antigens are large molecules, several thousand of which
are scattered over the surface of an erythrocyte. They have been
difficult to characterize chemically, but it is known that the specificity
of those in the ABO system of man, and the J system of cattle resides
in the carbohydrate portion of a molecule that is probably a mucoprotein. Blood group antigens can also occur in solution in the serum
and body fluids of some genotypes. These soluble antigens include the
J antigen just referred to which has been demonstrated by Stormont
(1949) as unusual in that it is produced as soluble molecules in serum
which become adsorbed to the erythrocytes of cattle early in postnatal life. ’
The reader should note that the designation of antigens in different
species by the same symbol does not imply any relationship unless
this is explicitly stated. For example, the C antigens of the Pacific
sardine, Atlantic sea herring and tunas are not related through any
research to date.
B, Blood group antibodies
Blood group antigens are detected by their reactions with specific
antibodies. Teats for these reactions usually are designed to show
erythrocyte agglutination or lysis in the presence of antibodies.
Serums containing antibodies are obtained from four sources.
First, heteroirnmune antiserum prepared by injecting the erythrocytes
of selected individuals of the species being investigated into individuals
Of I ) second species. Such antiserums often contain a mixture of antibodies and must be absorbed with selected erythrocytes (me Section IV, D, 7) to obtain the kind of antibodies desired. Antiserums
.so absorbed are capable of detecting single kinds of antigenic
specificities and are termed reagents. Second, isaimmune antiamma
Prepared by injecting the erythrocytes of selected individuals of the
species being investigated into other individuals of the same species.
Such antiserums may contain more specific kinds of antibodies than
hehroimmune serums and often do not need to be absorbed in order
to serve as useful reagents. Third, the normal serums of some individuals of a species may provide antibodies reactive with antigens on
the erythrocytes of other individuals of the same species. Such antibodies, occurring without known antigenic stimulation, are termed
Q.B.-g
D