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Maternal immunization to paternal antigens in multiparous mice
Journal of Reproduction and Fertility
|February 1, 1975
Summary
Repeated pregnancies with foreign H-2 type males immunize female mice, increasing lymphocytes that recognize paternal antigens. However, their immune cells
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Immunology
- Transplantation Immunology
Background:
- Maternal immune tolerance to paternal antigens is crucial for successful pregnancy.
- Understanding immune responses during pregnancy can inform transplantation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the immunological consequences of repeated exposure to paternal antigens during pregnancy.
- To assess both humoral and cellular immune responses in multiparous female mice.
Main Methods:
- CBA strain female mice were mated with C57BL/10 males (different H-2 type).
- Mice gave birth to five litters.
- Lymphocyte allo-clustering assays and graft-versus-host assays were performed on maternal splenic lymphocytes.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated numbers of lymphocytes forming alloclusters with paternal erythrocytes were observed in multiparous females.
- Graft-versus-host responsiveness of maternal lymphocytes to paternal antigens showed only a slight increase, remaining largely unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Repeated pregnancies induce a specific immune response against paternal antigens, detectable via lymphocyte allo-clustering.
- The cellular immune response, as measured by graft-versus-host reactivity, remains relatively stable despite repeated exposure to foreign antigens.