Distinctive serum globulin responses to parenteral treatment with 17‐β‐estradiol in female NZB/NZW mice

After 6 weeks of treatment with 17‐β‐estradiol, two distinct groups of female NZB/NZW mice were identified. Group I females developed significant increases in serum α 2 , β‐ and γ‐globulins and had few serologic abnormalities. Serum globulins did not increase in Group II females. This blunted response correlated with a pretreatment increase in the frequency of positive tests for ANA, LE phenomena and cryoproteins in 4‐week‐old Group II mice.