Histocompatibility antigen transfer in utero: tolerance in progeny and sensitization in mother

Subcellular antigens obtained from donor spleen and kidney were administered to pregnant rabbits treated with hyaluronidase. Partial immunological tolerance to the donor was thus induced in the fetuses during the adaptive phase. The duration of tolerance was proportional to the total dose of antigen administered to the mother. Maternal sensitization to the offspring was noted in all rabbits giving birth to partially tolerant progeny.