Incomplete antibodies and immunoglobulin characterization in adult urodeles, Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. and Triturus alpestris Laur.

Humoral immunoglobulin synthesis has been studied in two adult urodeles, Pleurodeles waltlii Michah. and Triturus alpestris Laur. following SRBC immunization. The specific antibody response is detected after a long period of immunization and is due exclusively to 'incomplete' antibodies which are unable to induce agglutination. The antibody titre is essentially dependent on the number of stimulations rather than on the dose or nature of the antigen (papainized or normal erythrocytes). Antibodies are detected in only 50 per cent of the immunized animals, 50 per cent never respond. This suggests that the latter group does not possess the genetic equipment (Ir genes) to recognize the antigenic determinants and to synthesize the corresponding antibodies. The sedimentation coefficient of the synthesized immunoglobulins was investigated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and their characterization was carried out by starch and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With this peculiar antigen even after a booster injection, only one class of immunoglobulin, an 18-2S IgM could be detected.