Both genetic background and environmental factors modify the phenotypic expression of H-2 associated genes participating in the polygenic control of antibody responsiveness to Salmonella antigens.

The genetic control of responsiveness to flagellar (f) and somatic (s) antigens of Salmonellae was studied in high (H) and low (L) lines of mice selected for the character 'antibody response to sheep erythrocytes'. The minimal immunogenic dose was, for the two antigens, lower in H than in L mice and the dominance of the responder phenotype was then greater in F1 hybrid females than in males. Genes associated with H-2 locus intervene in the responses to each antigen. Their expression was found to vary according to the conditions of immunization and to the sex. The quantifiable H-2 effect was measured in interline hybrids, i.e. on an heterogeneous genetic background equivalent to that of F2. In the case of the flagellar (f) antigen, the H-2 locus was responsible in secondary response for about 50% of the interline difference in the two sexes. In the primary response, the H-2 effect was only observed in females. It was smaller (25% of the interline difference) and independent of the antigen dose. In contrast, with somatic (s) antigen the H-2 locus did not intervene in the control of secondary response. The H-2 effect in the primary response was again only found in females. Unexpectedly, the allele linked to the H-2 phenotype of L mice had a more favourable effect on hybrid responsiveness than that linked to the phenotype of H mice.