Studies on the Bone Marrow of Premature Infants

Part II. Serum Proteins in the Bone Marrow of Premature Infants

Abstract

By means of agar electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis, the serum proteins of the bone marrow and the blood were studied simultaneously in 58 premature infants and the following results were obtained:
1) The total protein level was always much higher in the bone marrow sera than in the peripheral blood sera, and the total protein levels in both sera increased in proportion to infant growth after birth, the difference between these levels tending to grow greater.
2) The ratio of albumin to globulin in the bone marrow sera diminished due to an increase of globulin content during infant growth.
3) By means of immuno-electrophoresis, it was found that IgG appeared earlier in the bone marrow sera than in the peripheral blood sera, The line of IgG precipitation became steadily more intense up to the 74 the day of life.
4) α ₂-and β-glycoprotem, a α₂-and β-lipoprotein, hemopexin, IgA, and IgM, were also seen to appear earlier and more densely in the bone marrow sera than in the peripheral blood sera.
These results indicate that the production of serum proteins, especially of the immunoglobulins, first takes place in the bone marrow, and that the lymphoid cell system in the bone marrow of premature infant is more active than that elsewhere in exhibiting specific defense mechanisms in early life.