An ether-sensitive antigen associated with bovine leukemia virus infection.

An ether-sensitive antigen (es-Ag) associated with bovine leukemia virus infection was detected by immunodiffusion tests. This antigen was sensitive to ether, sodium periodate, and trypsin treatment. Based on column chromatography, es-Ag was a larger molecule than that of ether-resistant antigen (gs-Ag). With infection, precipitating antibody against es-Ag developed earlier than the precipitating antibody against the gs-Ag.