Biology ETDs

Publication Date

5-13-1970

Abstract

Saline extracts, prepared from the pollens of three species of Atriplex: A. canescens, A. lentiformis, and A. wrightii, were sterilized by Seitz filtration, and the nitrogen content of each extract was determined by the Kjeldahl technique. Extracts were standardized at 0.7 mg N/ml, mixed with an equal volume of Freund's complete adjuvant, and injected subcutaneously into rabbits. Antibody titers were checked weekly by the interfacial precipitin test. The peak antibody production occurred four to five weeks after the injection period, then after a slight drop in titer, remained stable for the next six weeks, during which time sera were collected. Gel diffusion plates were prepared and allowed to develop either at 5 C or 37 C. Patterns of precipitation revealed a broad band of identity between all three species, plus an additional band with A. wrightii. Hence, A. wrightii contains an antigen not found in A. canescens or A. lentiformis, which form similar bands of precipitation. Gel diffusion analysis was also performed using diluted extracts, heated extracts, antisera absorbed with the homologous and heterologous antigens, and with Ambrosia trifida (ragweed) pollen extract. Attempts at comparing the extracts via passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice were unsuccessful regardless of antigen or antibody dilution, varying challenge periods, and varying latent periods. The antigenic relationships shown by gel diffusion match their known phylogenetic relationships.

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

John W. Beakley

Second Committee Member

James Samuel Booth

Third Committee Member

William Clarence Martin

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS