The male antigen. II. Regulation of the primary and secondary responses to H-Y by H-2 associated genes

The primary response of females of ten inbred mouse strains to the male antigen (H-Y) was investigated by transfer of peritoneal exudate cells (PEC). Three distinct classes of reactivity were seen. Early primary response to H-Y was associated with H-2 haplotypes b and s; intermediate response with H-2 haplotypes, k, d, i, and h; and late or absent response with H-2 haplotypes a and f. The failure of A.CA (H-2^f) females to mount a detectable primary response against syngeneic male cells was not due to the lack of the antigen from A.CA male cells. The ability of (A.CA × B10)F₁ hybrid females to respond to the male antigen demonstrated the dominant nature of the B10 (H-2^b) response and excluded the possibility that A.CA females possess a dominant self-antigen cross-reactive with H-Y. The secondary response of eight inbred strains was investigated; at least three distinct levels of reactivity were apparent. The speed of the secondary response was associated with the various H-2 haplotypes in the same way as the primary response. The implications of differential strain reactivity, background effect, and the association of Ir-1 with response to H-Y are discussed.