Genetic and nongenetic variation in the ABO agglutinin levels of plasma, saliva and milk

Abstract

The agglutinin levels of 250 parturient women and their newborn babies were studied and the modifying influence of 16 variables evaluated. The most important factor in this variability is the ABO phenotype. The agglutinin titers are generally higher in milk than in plasma or saliva. Blacks always show salivary agglutinins in higher frequencies than Whites. Within each fluid the amount of anti-A and anti-B are always highly correlated (r 0.59-0.79). Associations were also observed between the titers in plasma and milk (r 0.25-0.30). The plasma and milk anti-A levels of the O mothers are correlated with those of their O children (r 0.28-0.37), but the anti-B are not. Socioeconomic conditions may affect the salivary anti-A and anti-B titers.