[The anticomplementary effect of animal sera--a contribution to the precise definition of the complement-binding reaction].

Photometric procedures (standardised complement fixation reaction) were used to determine the anticomplementary action of animal sera. Multiplication factors, K, of 3.0 to 5.0, related to human sera, were recorded and were found to be capable of reducing or offsetting anticomplementary serum action in CFR in terms of a definitive complement excess. Anticomplementary action of animal sera, for all practical purposes, does no longer apply to dilution ratios of 1:16. The complement excess necessary for titres of 1:4 and 1:8 should be precisely defined and can then be calculated in constant measures. Hence, titres of 1:8 may be rendered accessible to safe assessment. Titres of 1:4 will continue to be problematic. The following order of animal sera was defined in comparison to human sera: cattle, pigeon, duck, sheep, cat, turkey, swine, coypu, hen, dog.