REACTIONS OF ANTISERA TO PORCINE RELAXIN WITH RELAXIN-CONTAINING TISSUES OF OTHER SPECIES IN VIVO AND IN VITRO.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Serum of rabbits repeatedly injected with porcine relaxin in Freund's adjuvant contained demonstrable antibodies to the hormone. The antisera agglutinated relaxin-coated latex particles, inhibited interpubic ligament formation in relaxin treated mice, and produced visible bands when reacted with relaxin on Ouchterlony plates. The antisera also inhibited the pubic symphysis-relaxing activity of ovaries of pregnant rats or mice, corpora lutea of whales, and an extract of rooster testes. The inhibitory effects on pelvic relaxation in mice were prevented by prior incubation of the antisera with small amounts of relaxin, or with pregnant sow or rat ovaries, human or whale corpora lutea or rooster testis extract. Cross reactions were observed between antisera to porcine relaxin and tissues of whales, armadillos, roosters and humans on Ouchterlony plates. These reactions did not occur if the antisera were first neutralized with porcine relaxin. The findings suggest the presence of substances similar to porcine relaxin in a variety of species.