The Serology of Rho Variants (Rho)

Eighty-two Rh_o samples were tested with a battery of ten anti-Rh_o sera by the antiglobulin, bromelin and albumen replacement technics. The varying ability of different anti-Rh_o sera to react with Rh_o variant cells was clearly demonstrated. Anti-Rh_o used for the detection of Rh_o variants should be specially selected for this purpose. It is suggested that the Rh_o factor results from a genetically determined absence or abnormality of the primary Rh_o factor, and the serologic reactions characterizing it are dependent on the reactions of the subsidiary factors Rh^A, Rh^B, Rh^C, and Rh^D.