Possible association of antibody responses to human serum albumin and (T,G)-A--L with the bovine major histocompatibility complex (BoLA)

Antibody responses to human serum albumin (HSA) and (T,G)-A--L were determined in 130 young bulls in Norway and the BoLA types of the bulls were defined. Significant associations of some BoLA antigens with immune responsiveness were shown, indicating the likely existence of an immune response (Ir) region linked to the BoLA class I antigens. High response to HSA seems to be a dominant trait. BoLA w2 showed an association with low response to HSA. This may reflect the effect of a specific MHC-associated immune suppressor gene.