An Immunogenetic Study of Species-Specific Antigens in the Serum of Species of Streptopelia.

VIDENCE has been presented in previous communications from this that the antigens in the serum of a species of doves (Pearlneck or Streptopelk chinensis), specific for that species as contrasted with either of two other species (Senegal, St. senegalensis, or Ring dove, St. risork), segregated in back-cross individuals in accordance with genetic expectation. Subsequent data have supported this finding and have indicated that the species-specific antigens in the sera of other pairs of species of birds from which species hybrids have been obtained, Senegal x Ring dove, and pigeon (Columba ZiV;a) x Ring dove, likewise are subject to genic influence (CUMLEY, IRWIN and COLE 1943; IRWIN and CUMLEY 1942). The purpose of the present paper is threefold: (1) to demonstrate the individuality of the species-specific antigens of Pearl-neck, as contrasted with Senegal, which have segregated in offspring produced by mating to Senegal the species hybrid between Pearlneck and Senegal, and certain backcross hybrids of this cross ; (2) to demonstrate the individuality of the species-specific antigens of Pearlneck, as contrasted with Ring dove, which have segregated in a similar manner ; and (3) to show what relation, if any, exists between the antigens specific for Pearlneck as contrasted with Ring dove and Senegal, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS Except for some minor variations, the immunological technics employed in this study were essentially the same as those described in detail in earlier investigations (CUMLEY and IRWIN 1942; and CUMLEY, IRWIN and COLE 1943). Rabbits were inoculated intravenously with the serum of Pearlneck, and the antisera thereby produced were tested by the " ring " precipitation test with the sera of Pearlneck, Senegal, and Ring dove. The highest dilution of antigens at which a visible reaction occurred was determined, the presence of a cloudy plane of precipitate at the antigen-antiserum interface within two hours being indicative of a positive reaction. Antibodies were absorbed by