Serum from three species (rat, horse, monkey) was subjected to fractionation procedures, and pure albumin was prepared from each. Three rabbits (1, 2, 3) were immunized with rat, horse, and monkey serum albumin, respectively (rat SA, horse SA, monkey SA). Serum from these rabbits was then tested with each albumin preparation by an immunoprecipitation assay. The results are expressed semi-quantitatively as +, -, +t++, to indicate the relative amount of precipitate formed.
Amount of Immunoprecipitate
Antiserum
rat SA
horse SA
monkey SA
Rabbit #1
+
++
-
Rabbit #2
++++
+
-
Rabbit #3
+t+
-
Preimmunization sera from each rabbit failed to immunoprecipitate any albumin preparation.
Discuss the reactivity of each serum with its appropriate SA.
Discuss the reactivity of each serum with the inappropriate SAs.
Each serum was then tested with human SA, hen egg albumin (hen EA), and mouse SA:
Antiserum
human SA
hen EA
mouse SA
Rabbit #1
++
-
-
Rabbit #2
-
-
-
Rabbit #3
Att
-
Account for the pattern of reactivity with these new albumins.