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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 3852

Audrey Barnett and Edward Steers, Jr.; Antibodies Blocking the Mating Reaction in Paramecium multimicronucleatum syngen 2. J.Protozool. 27(1):103-107, 1980

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Antibodies induced in rabbits against Paramecium multimicronucleatum syngen 2 prevent sexually reactive cells from clumping, pairing, and forming cytoplasmic fusions. A biologic assay for the detection of these antibodies (designated blocking antibodies) is described. The blocking antibodies, unlike the immobilization antibodies, are produced against breis of sexually reactive cells and nonreactive cells of 2 types, nonstarved and immature. Isolated cilia from reactive cells of either mating type are weak immunogens for blocking antibodies. No correlation between the mating type specificity (III or IV) and these antibodies has been detected. Blocking antibodies can be absorbed with living cells, of which sexually reactive ones are the most effective absorbers, while immature ones are the least effective.