Phylogenic studies on allotypic specificities of rabbit immunoglobulins

Phylogenic studies of rabbit allotypic specificities are carried out in several lagomorphs. We give the results obtained through the study of hare Lepus capensis immunoglobulins. IgG of all the 140 studied hares exhibit determinants recognized by anti-b4 and anti-b5 immune sera. Most hares, but not all, have determinants recognized by anti-b6 immune sera. Among the determinants recognized by anti-b4 immune sera, some seem to be isotypic (found in all studied hares), others (absent in some hares) are allotypic. Determinants recognized by anti-b5 immune sera behave as isotypic; they are recognized by anti-b5 antibodies which participate to the cross reaction with b6 pattern. Other determinants recognized by anti-b5 antibodies are allotypic. Three allotypic patterns, at least, each made of two determinants, belonging to the same series, have been detected on hare L chains. Two of them are recognized by anti-b6 immune sera; the third is characterized by its lack of determinants cross-reacting with anti-b6 antibodies. It does not seem that L. capensis has any determinant recognized by anti-b9 immune sera. IgG of some but not all hares have determinants recognized by anti-a2 immune sera, only when these have been prepared in rabbits with the phenotype a(1-2-3+).