Evidence that the serological determinant of H-Y antigen is carbohydrate

The histocompatibility-Y (H-Y) antigen is a minor histocompatibility antigen which has been detected on cell surfaces from the heterogametic sexes of mammalian, bird, amphibian, teleost and invertebrate species. H-Y is thought to be a male-determining substance in mammals because of its almost perfect correlation with maleness among a variety of mammalian species. To characterize the molecular determinant responsible for H-Y specific serological activity, H-Y positive immunoabsorbent cells were first subjected to various treatments which alter protein or carbohydrate structure and then tested for their ability to absorb H-Y antisera. We present here evidence that the serological determinant of H-Y antigen is carbohydrate.