Immunoglobulins during South Polar isolation

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the measurement of immunoglobulin concentrations in serum specimens obtained serially throughout the isolation period from a group of men who spent one year at the South Pole. Serial serum specimens were obtained through a period of one year from 16 men who spent the winter of 1969 at the Amundsen–Scott Base operated by the USA at the South Pole. These serums were obtained from fasting blood specimens, usually collected during the activity period that would correspond to morning, that is, the wake period following sleep. Specimens were divided into aliquots. They were frozen and maintained at −40°C or lower until tested. Serum immunoglobulins (Ig G, Ig M, and Ig A) were quantitated by a radial immunodiffusion technique utilizing commercial material. The chapter presents the immunoglobulin values on serums obtained at the beginning, the mid-point, and at the end of the polar isolation period.