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ANTIBODIES TO GAMMA GLOBULIN IN PREGNANT WOMEN: INCIDENCE, AETIOLOGY AND SIZE
Author(s) -
McKay E.,
Thom H.
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1971.tb00284.x
Subject(s) - antibody , in utero , medicine , umbilical cord , gamma globulin , physiology , pregnancy , fetus , immunology , biology , genetics
Summary Antiglobulins detectable at a titre of 1 in 8 were found in 8.1 per cent of 1457 pregnant women. In 4.1 per cent of the women the antiglobulins were specific for genetic factors Gm 1, 2, 5 or Inv 1 while in the remainder they were non‐specific or of undetermined specificity. The molecular size of a proportion of the antiglobulins was assessed by 2‐mercapto‐ethanol reduction, Sephadex G200 gel filtration or by the presence or absence of the antibody in umbilical cord blood. Most of the antiglobulins examined were of 19S type but a few specific antibodies appeared to be 7S or intermediate sized. In 31 cases with specific antiglobulins, phenotyping of three generations suggested that most of the women had been sensitized by maternal gamma globulin in utero while two women had probably been sensitized by their fetuses. The Gm and Inv phenotypes of mother and infant at birth were compared in 92 pairs and showed complete agreement. Antiglobulins were found in 3 of 6 infants aged six months who could have formed antibodies against a maternal Gm or Inv factor.