Identification and genetic control of rabbit haptoglobin allotypes

Rabbits were immunized with haptoglobin preparations isolated from rabbit serum by DEAE-cellulose chromatography, followed by 55–60% ammonium sulfate precipitation and zone electrophoresis in a starch block. Immunochemical analysis by the Ouchterlony method distinguished two antigenically different genetic variants, i.e., allotypes. Both allotypes were identified as haptoglobins by their electrophoretic mobility in the -globulin region and by their binding with hemoglobin as revealed by benzidine stain for peroxidase activity. The progeny data of 253 rabbits with all possible six matings indicated that the two allotypes are controlled by allelic genes at an autosomal locus. Pedigree analysis indicated that this haptoglobin locus, designated Hph, is not closely linked to the Lpq low-density lipoprotein locus, the Mtz ₂-macroglobulin locus, or the a heavy-chain and b light-chain immunoglobulin loci.This investigation was supported (in part) by NSF grant GB-5536 and USPHS grant AI07043.