Abstract
Summary
The serum protein composition of germfree and conventional guinea pigs displays significant differences during young adult life (2-4 months) at which time the alpha, beta, and gamma globulins are less than those of the conventional animal. Immuno-electrophoretic analysis shows one component of the germfree gamma globulin range absent at this time.
In contrast to a diet containing only vegetable protein, which resulted in little beta and no detectable gamma globulin in the serum of adult germfree guinea pigs, a diet composed of complex vegetable and animal proteins stimulated the formation of larger amounts of globulins. This resulted in comparable or not significantly different alpha, beta, and gamma globulin fractions for year old germfree and conventional animals.
The authors acknowledge the technical assistance of Janine Bemelmans, Ann Hermans, and of Bernard A. Teah of the Germfree Animal Operations and his group for maintenance of the germfree animals.,
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