The Ontogenetic Development of the Later Complement Components in Fetal Piglets

[摘要] The ontogenetic development of the complement components C3, C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9 and of the C3 proactivator was studied in Minnesota miniature pigs. Hemolytic C3, C5, C6 and C7 were measurable in fetal piglets at early stages of embryonic life in low titers, but showed a striking increase between the 100th and 110th day of gestation. By contrast, the titers of hemolytic C8 and C9 increased regularly during embryonic life. The development of the C3 proactivator appeared to precede the development of its target, C3. When the interaction of pig serum with endotoxic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was studied, a marked difference was seen between fetal and adult pigs; whereas, in sera of adult pigs considerable amounts of C1 and C2 were consumed, no significant fixation of these complement components could be observed in sera of fetal piglets.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）