Characteristics of the maternal lymphoid response of mice to paternal strain antigens induced by homologous pregnancy.

Mice mated with H-2 incompatible males were shown to have an increased frequency of specific allocluster-forming spleen cells to paternal strain erythrocytes. The time course of the response was similar to that expected following a skin allograft. The graft-versus-host responsiveness of the maternal lymphocytes was generally elevated in the post-partum period in matings with males incompatible at either the H2 locus or non-H2 loci. The implications of these responses with respect to their different lymphocyte mediators and possible interactions are discussed with the view that a B-cell mediated immune response to paternal antigens may be contributory to foetal survival.