Quantitation of beta 1c/1A globulin (C3) in inbred mice: variation dependent upon strain, age, sex and environment.

The effect of age, sex, genetic backgrounds and environmental factors on mouse C3 level was studied. In general, C3 level increased as a mouse became older. Little difference in C3 level was observed between male and female of all ages. C3 level was found in a great variation from strain to strain, but we could not demonstrate any major role of H-2 in determining serum C3 level. Serum C3 level is not shown to be linked to the serum level of H-2 linked serum protein Ss (C4). On the other hand a close correlation between C3 level and C5 level was demonstrated. Serum C3 markedly increased, along with C5, when mice were injected with turpentine oil, suggesting both components are acute phase reactants. The degree of increase in C3 level in response to turpentine oil injection appeared to be controlled by a single or a very few genes probably not linked to H-2.