Evidence for the genetic control of antibody affinity from breeding studies with inbred mouse strains producing high and low affinity antibody.

The amount (Abt) and relative affinity (KR) of antibody produced in response to protein antigens injected in saline has been measured in the parents, F1 hybrids and backcross offspring of inbred mice which produce high and low KR antibody to these antigens. The results obtained support the view that antibody affinity is under polygenic control. Furthermore, strain related variation in Abt is independent of KR and the breeding experiments indicate that these two parameters are under independent genetic control.