Experimental thyroiditis in the rhesus monkey. II. Precipitating, haemagglutinating and anaphylactogenic antibodies.

Monkey antisera to monkey thyroid crude extract were studied by means of tanned cell haemagglutination, gel precipitation, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. They reacted with extracts of all monkey thyroids tested and not with extracts of other monkey organs. Cross-reactions occurred with thyroid extracts of several other mammalian species, especially with human thyroid antigen. Absorption and inhibition tests indicated the participation of a number of thyroid-specific antibodies, some of which were responsible for these cross-reactions, while other antibodies reacted only with homologous monkey thyroid. The antigen responsible for these reactions could be identified as thyroglobulin. The antibodies were resistant to treatment by sulphhydryl agents and heat, and sedimented as 7S globulins.