Abstract
The human and guinea pig placentae are permeable to native proteins and to anaphylactic antibodies, therefore, sensitization may be actively or passively induced in the fetus. 1 It has further been demonstrated that the female guinea pig may sensitize its offspring in utero by the inhalation of dry antigenic dusts during pregnancy. 2 Rosenau and Anderson 3 first showed that guinea pigs can be sensitized through feeding. In the experiments detailed below it is shown that a pregnant guinea pig fed an antigenic substance can become sensitized and, in addition, actively sensitize her fetus in utero. Pregnant women who are allergic can passively sensitize their offspring to the same substance to which they are sensitive. 4 Normal pregnant women who eat excessively of protein foods may actively sensitize the fetus in utero, and when such offspring partake of these particular foods for the first time may manifest allergic reactions. 5
Large normal female guinea pigs were fed horse serum one to several days before parturition. The animals were placed in an empty metal cage without food or water for 3 to 5 hours before the sensitizing feedings were given, in order to partially empty their stomachs. They were fed by pipette. Any liquid which dripped from their mouths was caught in a dish, taken up in the pipette and refed to the animal, so that the total amount ingested was recorded. If the liquid was given too fast, the animals would choke and cough, so that extreme caution was observed in emptying the pipette very slowly. If an animal did cough, this was carefully noted, in order that false results due to possible passage of the antigen into the respiratory tract would be avoided.
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