Blood groups in bovines. I. Production of cattle iso-immune sera and blood group reagents

Abstract

A short introduction is given to the field of bovine blood group research. Some of the immunological terms used in immuno-genetics are explained. The genetic aspects are briefly dealt with. The methods used for the production of iso-immune sera are described. An analysis is made of the different sources of genetical and environmental variation in antibody production, and from this it is concluded that it is impossible to give detailed directives for their production. The difficulties of testing sera under high temperature conditions are dealt with. It is concluded that these difficulties can be overcome in South Africa only by carrying out all blood group work in an air conditioned laboratory. The fractionation of different antisera is presented in Table No. 6. As a result of basic investigations in South Africa, three new types of antibodies have been isolated in Afrikaner cattle, which react with three so far unknown antigenic blood factors. Only a few test sera could not be produced. Through international cooperation between blood group laboratories and particularly through exchanges of test sera, the South African laboratory was able to start routine blood group determinations. for different practical purposes and genetical studies, in 1958.