A major histocompatibility complex in the toadxenopus laevis (Daudin)

The genetic relationship between mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR), skin graft rejection, and some red blood cell antigens has been studied in a sibship of the toadXenopus laevis. MLR typing was achieved using blood lymphocytes. The graft experiments were performed at 17–19°C. Grafts exchanged between MLR identical sibs were rejected in 30.9±5.1 days, grafts exchanged between MLR different sibs were rejected in 20.4±2.4 days when animals differed at one MLR haplotype, and in 18.6±1.9 days when they differed at two MLR haplotypes. Immunizations and absorptions following the MLR typing produced agglutinating antisera that recognize red blood cell antigens segregating with MLR haplotypes. The results parallel those obtained in various mammalian and avian species and suggest that the homology of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), described in higher vertebrates, can be extended to amphibians.