Influence of complement on the neutralization of murine cytomegalovirus by rabbit antibody

Antiserum against murine cytomegalovirus produced in the rabbit contained complement (C')-requiring neutralizing (CRN) antibody. The proportion of CRN was extremely high (up to 98%) during the early portion of an immunization procedure, whereas the antisera produced late had a much lower proportion that required C'. The antiserum produced was specific for MCMV with or without C'.