Regulatory effect of temperature and antigen upon immunity in ectothermic vertebrates. II. Primary enhancement of anti-hapten antibody response at high and low temperatures.

Enhancement of primary anti-hapten antibody response was more efficient when carp were preimmunized with modified carrier, rather than with its native form, especially when they were challenged with a slightly substituted penicilloyl-BSA conjugate (Pen5 BSA). No significant enhancement was obtained when the fish were challenged with a heavy conjugate (Pen30 BSA). When fish kept at optimal temperature were preinjected with the modified carriers, rising titers of anti-hapten antibodies were obtained even when the fish were transferred to low temperature just before being challenged with Pen5 BSA. It was concluded that modified carriers are more efficient in enhancing the anti-hapten antibody response and light conjugates are needed to make the cell cooperation possible. It was also suggested that when helper memory cell maturation was allowed to develop at optimal conditions, both cell cooperation and antibody synthesis could occur at low temperatures.