Immunologic Responses in the Axolotl, Siredon Mexicanum

Abstract

The specific immune response of the axolotl is of a lower order than seen in anurans and higher fish. In both larvae and adult animals a prolonged period passed between antigen administration and the appearance of specific antibody. Larval animals, with one exception, produced only rapidly sedimenting antibody after primary or secondary stimulation, whereas adults produced both slowly and rapidly sedimenting antibodies after secondary stimulation. This response appeared to be dose dependent. Marked susceptibility of antibody activity to heating of serum to 56°C for 30 min was noted. This susceptibility was not related to dependence on other serum components analogous to complement and is probably intrinsic to the antibody itself. Observations on the inhibition of appearance of circulating antibody in the cold suggest that cold exerts a major influence on the early part of the induction period.