Transfer of Bacterial Antibodies from the Hen to the Chick

Abstract

DURING an investigation on the transfer of antibodies against Salmonella pullorum from the hen to egg yolk, non-agglutinating antibodies as well as agglutinins were found in the hen's serum and in the yolk. The non-agglutinating antibodies were detected in serum by the method of Morgan and Schutze¹. The serum was diluted serially, and an equal volume of antigen added to each dilution; after 18 hr. at 53° C. any agglutination was noted, and the antigen in those tubes in which there was no agglutination was washed; toeach of those tubes was added anti-avian-globulin serum. If the antigen had been sensitized by the unknown serum, it was agglutinated in the presence of the anti-avian-globulin serum. Antibodies of this type are referred to as non-agglutinating antibodies.