Antiserum (Pl. Antisera)
Definition
Blood serum from an animal (typically a rabbit) that has been immunised against the proteins of another species. It contains antibodies that react specifically with proteins from the immunising species.
- Source
- Blood serum from an immunised animal, typically rabbit
- Contains
- Antibodies specific to the immunising species' proteins
- Forensic use
- Species-of-origin identification via precipitin testing
- Plural form
- Antisera
Common questions
How does an antiserum panel identify the species a bloodstain came from?+
A stain extract is tested against a panel of antisera each raised against a different species, and a positive precipitin reaction only occurs with the antiserum matching the stain's species of origin, so the pattern of reactions across the panel identifies the source.
Can an antiserum give a false positive against an unrelated species?+
Weak cross-reactivity can occur between closely related species because their serum proteins share some structural similarity, which is why validated antisera are checked for specificity against a range of species before use and results are interpreted alongside the reaction strength.
Related terms
- Double Immunodiffusion (Ouchterlony)
- A gel diffusion method in which both antigen and antibody diffuse toward each other from separate wells in agar. Precipitin bands form...
- Precipitin Arc / Line
- The visible band of precipitate in an Ouchterlony plate where diffusing antigen and diffusing antibody meet. Its shape and relationship to adjacent...
- Precipitin Test
- A serological method in which an antiserum specific to one species' proteins is mixed with an extract of an unknown specimen. Formation...
- Ring Precipitin Test
- A tube-based precipitin assay in which the antiserum is carefully underloaded beneath the sample; a ring of precipitate at the interface indicates...
- Spur Formation
- In Ouchterlony, a spur is formed when one arc curves beyond another due to an excess of a cross-reacting but non-identical antigen....