Ovine lymphocyte antigens: a comparison of Australian and European antisera

Lymphocyte alloantigens were determined in 183 Australian merino sheep, using antisera from Australian and European laboratories. The study had two aims: (1) to compare reagents characterized in the different laboratories and to correlate antigen definition; and (2) to define lymphocyte antigens for use as genetic markers in two flocks of sheep which had been selectively bred for resistance or susceptibility to the intestinal parasite Trichostrongylus colubriformis, in order to extend a previous study which had indicated linkage between resistance to the parasite and the sheep major histocompatibility system. Good or excellent correspondence was found between four Australian and four European specificities and it was concluded that continued international collaboration would allow definition of markers for future genetic or disease susceptibility studies.