Immunologic studies of progeny of atopic dogs.

Atopic dogs were bred to establish a colony of progeny predisposed to develop type I hypersensitivity. In a 2-year period, 72 pups were born and were monitored for clinical evidence and immunologic "markers" of atopic disease. Thirteen dogs in the colony, belonging to the oldest age group, manifested clinical signs compatible with atopic disease. Immunologic variables relative to serum IgE levels, parasitic infection, and duration of severity of clinical signs of disease were studied in this group. Analysis of this data did not identify indicators which could be used to predict the development of the atopic state in dogs.