Production of large amounts of antibodies, complement, and leukocytes in ascitic fluids of guinea pigs.

A method is described for the production in guinea pigs of large amounts of ascitic fluid containing non-specific IgG, antiprotein antibodies, complement, other serum proteins and leukocytes. The method is an adaptation of a procedure previously applied to mice. A major difference is the extended schedule of inoculations required for the induction of ascites in guinea pigs; a requirement for boosting with antigen intradermally while repeatedly inoculating adjuvant intraperitoneally; and the much larger quantities obtained. The average yield of ascitic fluid, when antigen was not used, was 113 ml per animal, and the average yield of IgG was 0.87 g. With antigen (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) the average yields were 143 ml and 1.6 g of antibody per guinea pig. Complement titers were 41 to 74% of those in serum. The number of leukocytes per ml of ascites ranged from 7 X 10(6) to 20 X 10(6). The method should be useful for the production of large amounts of leukocytes, antibodies and other serum proteins from a small colony of laboratory animals. In addition, cells can be obtained without the need to sacrifice the animal.