Comparative Survival of Lethally Irradiated Inbred Male Mice Inoculated With Marrow From Virgin or Multiparous Female Donors

Abstract

The response of marrow from virgin female donors to the antigens controlled by the Y chromosome of syngeneic male recipients varied with different strains of mice and was independent of their H-2 genotype. Marrow from syngeneic multiparous donors might produce a greater response to male antigens than that observed with marrow from virgin females. The sensitization of the mother to her male progeny indicated that these antigens were expressed before parturition. The reduced responsiveness of mothers to some alloantigens and the accompanying increased responsiveness to male antigens suggested a difference in the time during embryonic development when these antigens were expressed.