On the Serological Constitution of the Fin Whales
II. Further Studies on Blood Groups
By
KAZUO FUJINO

Introduction

Blood groups of the fin whales, Balaenoptera physalus, have beenclassified into four types (Bp system) as stated in the previous report(Fujino, K. 1953) 1 l. After further investigation on the antigen which iscontained in the erythrocytes of fin whales, two kinds of new agglutinogens, i.e. Jul and Ju2, were found by agglutination between immune
antiserum and erythrocytes of fin whales. By the existence of theseantigens blood cells of fin whales were classified, independently to Bp
system, into three kinds, namely Ju1Ju2, Jul and Ju2, and consequently they were classified into twelve kinds as the combination of Bp andJu systems. Furthermore, besides the four kinds of antigens belonging
to Bp and Ju systems a new agglutinogen "X" was found in Bp2Jul andOJul type fin whale blood cells by immune antiserum, but the correlation
between X-antigen and the already known blood groups has not beenenough examined up to the present.
After examing the blood groups of fin whales caught from thenorthern part of the North Pacific Ocean in the years 1954 and 1955
in relation to the Bp and the Ju systems, remarkable differences wereseen in frequency of the occurrence of these blood groups between thefin whales from ground off Kamchatka and those from ground off
Alaska. In the present report, the results obtained in these two years
are discussed in reference to those stated in the previous report.
Acknowledgements are due to the crews on board the whaling
factory ship, "Kyokuyo-maru", who helped the author in the field work,and also due to Prof. Yasuo Suyehiro and Prof. Tanemoto Furuhata
who guided this study.
Material and Method

Preservation of the erythrocytes of whales : The erythrocytes ofwhales used as immune antigen were preserved for the purpose ofadsorption test of antiserum in classification of blood groups. Whencollecting the blood, following solution, 1/10 volume of blood, was added tothe blood as preservative, and then such material was kept in ice-box.

86

K. FUJINO

Na-chloride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Na-citrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Guanofuracin...............

8.5 g.
50.0 g.
5.0 g.

(5-Nitro-2-furfurylidene-aminoguanidine Hydrochloride)

Aqua .................. , .... 1000.0 ml.
When the blood was collected in fresh condition and was preservedby this method, the erythrocytes was kept in good condition available foradsorption test during three weeks or more, which is the required period
for production of antibody in normal (seven times') immunization. Afterseveral times' cleaning with salt solution, these preserved erythrocytes
are used for agglutination and adsorption test. In this case, no effectof guanofuracin was recognized on these reactions. In all other respects
with regard to erythrocytes of human being, immune animal, immunizing
method, collecting and preserving method of anti-serum, testing methodsof agglutination and adsorption tests, the materials and methods were
just the same as in the previous work.
Experiment and Resulta) Classification of Ju system blood groups. When a rabbit is immunizedwith 0 type cells belonging to Bp system, immune antibodies against
these cells are produced in the rabbit serum. By the cross reactionof this immune antiserum with several kinds of 0 cells belonging to
Bp system, two kinds of new agglutinogens, i.e. Jul and Ju2 which
are different from the antigens of Bp system, were found. Two examples of the cross reaction (agglutination) are shown in table 1.
Table 1
Cross reactions (agglutination) of immune antisera of rabbits immunized with
0 cells by several kinds of 0 cells belonging to Bp systema) In case of anti-428 (OJul) erythrocytes immune serum~*I No. 170**~

No. 171

No. 172

No. 177

No. 178

No. 179

No. 170

No. 171
No. 172
No. 177
No. 178
No. 179

I

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

Jul

Jul

Ju1Ju2

I
I
I
I

I
i

Blood group j

Jul

Ju2

Ju2

On the Serological Constitution of the Fin Whales

87b) In case of anti-867 (0Ju2) erythrocytes immune serum~I

No. 170

No. 170-

No. 171-

No. 172-

No. 177-

No. 178-

No. 179

I No. 171 . \ No. 172

I

No. 177

No. 178 \

-

+

I
!

+

-

i

-

I

+

I

I
I

+

-

I

I

-

-

I

i
II

+

!

+

I
I
I

-

I

I
I
I

-

I

-

I
I

-

I

No. 179

i

+

I

+
-

+

-

-

I
I

Jui

Ju1Ju2

\

I

-

I

Ju2

I.

Blood group jRemark:

Jul

Ju2

Jul

* cells used for agglutination.

** cells used for adsorption.

When a rabbit is immunized with the fin whale blood cells which
belong to OJul, the anti-Jul and the species specific agglutinins areproduced in the serum of the rabbit. If the latter antibody is adsorbed
away with 0Ju2 corpuscles, the anti-Jul immune antibody is obtained.
The anti-Ju2 immune antibody is also obtained by the same operation.
By the agglutination between these immune antibodies and erythrocytes, it was proved that the two kinds of agglutinogens, namely Jul
and Ju2, exist in the blood corpuscles of fin whales. By these antigens, the blood groups of fin whales were classified independently to
Bp system into three kinds, namely Ju1Ju2, Jul and Ju2, and in consequence they were classified into following twelve kinds of types by
the combination of Bp and Ju systems.
Table 2
Blood groups of fin whales in Bp and Ju systems
~teml

~I

Bp1Bp2

Bpl

Bp2

0

Ju1Ju2Bp1Bp2Ju1Ju2

Bp1Ju1Ju2

Bp2Ju1Ju2

0Ju!Ju2Jul

Bp1Bp2Jul

BplJul

Bp2JulOJul

Ju2

Bp1Bp2Ju2

Bp1Ju2

Bp2Ju2

0Ju2

Ju systemb) New agglutinogen X detected by immune antibody. When a rabbit
is immunized with the blood cells which belong to OJul group, antiJul antiserum is produced by the immune animal. After examing theadsorption test of this antiserum with several kinds of OJul blood
cells, it was proved that a new antigen "X", which belonged to neither
Bp nor Ju systems in already known classification, was contained in88

K. FUJINO

the OJul type blood cells of fin whales. This antigen X is also detected in Bp2Jul type cells besides in OJul cells, but the existence of thisantigen in other kinds of cells belonging to Bp and Ju systems has notbeen examined completely yet up to the present.
c) Preparation of reagents (standard sera). As the existences ofantigens of Ju system and X are confirmed positively, in case of preparation of the reagent (standard serum) regarding to Bp system bloodgroups, it is necessary to make clear whether Jul or Ju2 antigens arecontained in the erythrocytes of immune antigen and to select the cells
not containing X antigen as immune antigen.
1) Anti-Bpl immune antiserum. When a rabbit is immunizedwith the fin whale blood cells, which belong to BplJul group without X antigen, three kinds of immune antibodies, namely anti-Bpl,
anti-Jul and species specific antibodies, are produced in the serumof the rabbit. If the anti-Jul and species specific antibodies areadsorbed away from this antiserum with OJul type cells, the antiBpl antibody may be obtained. In case of using Bp1Ju2 and 0Ju2
cells as the immune and adsorbing antigens respectively, the antiBpl antibody is also to be obtained by the same operation.
2) Anti-Bp2 immune antiserum. In case of preparation ofanti-Bp2 immune antiserum, Bp2Jul cells without X antigen and
OJul cells are used as the immune antigen and the adsorbing antigen respectively in the same operation as stated in the previous
paragraph 1). When the Bp2Ju2 cells without X antigen and 0Ju2
cells are used as the immune and adsorbing antigens respectively,
the anti-Bp2 antibody is also to be obtained.
3) Anti-Jul immune antiserum. As already stated in sectiona), in case of preparation of anti-Jul immune antiserum OJul cells
without X antigen are used as immune antigen and 0Ju2 cells
are used for adsorption of species specific antibody.
4) Anti-Ju2 immune antiserum. If 0Ju2 cells without X antigen
and OJul cells are used as immune and adsorbing antigens respectively, anti-Ju2 antibody is to be obtained in the same operation.
5) Anti-X immune antiserum. After being a rabbit immunized with OJul cells with X antigen, anti-X, anti-Jul and species
specific antibodies are produced in the serum of this rabbit. If thelatter two kinds of antibodies are adsorbed away by the OJul
cells without X antigen, anti-X antibody may be obtained alone.
In case of using Bp2Jul cells with X antigen and Bp2Jul cells without X antigen as the immune and adsorbing antigens respectively,
the anti-X antibody is also to be made by the same treatment asabovestated.

On the Serological Constitution of the Fin Whales

89

Agglutinin titer of immune antibody. Each one example of agglutinin titer of immune antibody which was obtained by the statedoperations is shown in table 3.

d)Table 3Agglutinin titer of immune antibody

Ii----: Immune antigenNo.

I typeSerum&

Agglutinin titerj

Immune rabbit,

Immune antibody

AntigenI'

I(spl (sp2 Jul .1u2 [ xSex IA+ or A-,I

Ml o', A+
30 M ' A-

29

I
I

Cl.'

o'

31 F

'

A-

Bpl]u2Anti-Bpl, Anti-Ju2

No. 1562, Bp2Ju2

Anti-Bp2, Anti-Ju2

No. 428, OJul

Anti-JulNo. 45,

agglu.

!

A-

a)

0 320

0

0 800
-

0 400

0

0 160
0
0 400
0 800
---

0

0

"
"

Anti-Bp2, Anti-Ju2
1562, Bp2Ju2
Ml a'a',' A- I No.
No. 480, Bp2Ju2X+ Anti-Bp2, Anti-Ju2, Anti-X ,,

30
32 F

I

1

0

160
-

"

1

0 200

0 400

0

-20

Remark a) X antigen in No. 480 cells had not been examined prior to immunization.
However, judging from the existence of anti-X antibody in the immune antiserum, the positive proof of X antigen in this cells may be assumed. X+ means
the blood group possessing X antigen.

It is seen from this table that the anti-X antibody shows a remarkably low titer in comparing with those of the anti-Bp and anti-Ju
antibodies.

a)Table 4
Blood group frequencies of fin whales taken from the northern partof the North Pacific Ocean
upper figures: actual number of whales )( lower figures: percentage of total number
Catch in the year 1954
A-ground~em'l _ _ _J_u_l~Ju_2_ _ _ _ _ _ _Ju_1_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _J_u_2_ _ __Bp system '",_
male i female
male \ female I male
femaleBp1Bp22

1

Bpl---- - 2.5

5

5

1
1

3

11

1
I
-------0.6

Bp2

0

I

Total

)

6

7

2

11,,,, --1

33

I··-- 0.6

5

o

17

5

40

5.4 '

3.2

12.7

--9--5-.4--___8___1

79

25.0

19.0
5

I

80

II
10

7.6

),0

27

3.5
14

I

3.8

1.0

i

I

123

-- 43.7
I

73:5

Total

58

20

109

36

11

--9.7

I
is.!f

24

------ \}~~:if

90

K. FUJINO
B-ground
Ju1Ju2

Ju2

Jul

Total
male
Bp1Bp2
Bpl

I
I
I

0

0

i

female

i

0

0

j

0

o.3

0

I

i 17
!L4

i

189

I

160

0

I

o.3

0

I

.... 0.0

20

0

i

I

0
0.0

..

98.2

I

0

.. I

0.0

I
0

0

0.0
1

40
:i0.2

o.5

2~11

·0:1

3 ...

206

0

I

I.

0.0

I

180

I

0

1

88.8

0.6

: female

I

I..........

male
I ...

0.0

I
.. o.o2......

Total

0

0.0

1

0

male

0

1

Bp2

I

female

I

353

89:8
393°)

2

ioo.o

1.2

Remark: In the year 1954 no available data were taken from C-ground.
a) 56.0% of total catch of this groun<l.
o) 67.2% of total catch of this ground.
b)Catch in the year 1955.
A-ground~Ju system!

,

Bp

JulJuZIJul

sy~ 1--m-a-le__j_fe_m-al_e_ _ _m_a_le_~_fe_m_a_l_e~I

o_····_o~l:o_···_·_o --~--~-J---

Bp1Bp2

\_ _

Bpl

[

Bp2

0

0.0

0

1

i

0

2

8

0.9

1

Total
0

1

i

\--i.

1.8

8

~.4
-~~-6

\_ _

--

1

-

0

2

46

1

I

0

2

5

94

7.9

83.2
5

11.5

113°l
100.0

4

73.5

i

·:~:---01.8

370female

male

7.9

2

0

I
2.6

Ju2

-~~--~--~----

3

Total

0

48

2.7

B-groundsystem>

49

8

85.8

:----~--c---~-------~----~---~--·--------·-~

Ju1Ju2Jul

Bp sy~,:-------malefemaleBp1Bp2

I·

0

Total
male

0

i

o:o

Ju2
female

male

0

0

0

0.0

female '

0.0

0

0
0.0

0

0
0.0

---------c------~---',------~---~----

Bpl
Bp2
0

Total

I

0
1

i

0.2
2
3

0

. o:o

I

o.s

I

0

I
..

o:o

...

131 ..

1

0

0

135

400

0.5
349

531

I

. . . j. . .

I

7

I

L2

761

73.6

0.7
484

98.l

4

3

i2A
4

273
26.4.

4

25.7
3

0.0

5

1034d)

100:0

On the Serological Constitution of the Fin Whales

91

C-ground·~ Ju system-I~~:
Bp system·.

Jul

Ju1Ju2male

Bp1Bp2

0

Bpl

0

Bp2

0

female
..

0

o:O
0

male
---

0

--

0

0.0
0

1

9

0

Remark:

1

--

i
I

8

!

0

.....I...

0-....-I...

6

male
0

...........

0
1

I
6

17

I

90.7

I female
I .
()_()

0

!

0

0.0
I

!
3.1

0

12

: ..

1

6.2

······-~
0.0
f

~-0
16

0

I

M:o

1

16
·· · 5o:o

1··r - 100.0

3.1

43.8
0

3.1

!

Total
female

46.9

3.1

Total

0.0

Ju2

0.0

0.0

0

---

!

32•)

c) 76.4% of total catch of this ground.
a) 87.9%e) 91.4%e) Frequencies of Bp and Ju systems' blood groups. By using the statedreagents frequencies of occurrence of the blood groups regarding
to Bp and Ju systems were investigated on the fin whales taken fromthe northern part of the North Pacific Ocean in the years 1954 and 1955.
These results are shown in table 4 separately by Whaling grounds
A, B and C of the northern part of the North Pacific Ocean noted infigure 1.
From this table, the following differences may be seen between fin
whales from A ground and those from B ground taken in both years
1954 and 1955.
I. As to Bp systems, in the case of A ground Bpl factor(Bpl and Bp1Bp2 groups) occurs 18.0% of 316 whales in the year
1954 and 6.2% of 113 whales in the year 1955, on the contrary tothis fact, however, no Bpl factor is seen in the B ground.
II. As regards Ju systems, Jul blood group occurs more predominantly than J u2 group both in the A and B grounds. The
ratios of occurrence of Ju2 factor (Ju2 and Ju1Ju2 groups), whichshow 26.5% and 14.2% in the years 1954 and 1955 respectively
as to the A ground, are deemed to be by far higher than thoseof the B ground, namely 1.8% and 1.9% in the years 1954 and1955 respectively.
In the C ground, only 32 whales were examined on blood groups,
so the data of this ground are not sufficient to compare the occurrenceof blood groups with others in relation to differentiation of races.
Occurrence ratio of X antigen is examined on the blood cells be-

N

/

.,, 0

0

•

0

~

o

0

0

0

•••• •?9° .@

• • •

0

0

000° 0• • •••

•

~

•I •

010

0

0

0

0

0
0

• • • «;)

0

tl

0

0

D 0

OC'C1\Ne O~

ls/aria

S~f\t'A.CJ\ HC

00 o o ??'Ai;,utia.n

0

Komanliorskie lls.

B'bt\\"NG.

180

0

0

0

170[

0

0

0

0

" 21,, 40More than41

011 ,, 20

"

•

•

•

•

•

inl95411nl955©

•

From 1 to 10

No of Whalescaught•lo o"'1Pri biloi ls_

170W

170W
180
Fig. 1 North Pacific Whaling Grounds in the Japanese Whaling Expedition in the Years 1934 and 1955.

160[

45f--------+---~----+--------+-------I

50

55f--------;

<i:y"

~
~
(J

170E

50

z0

....c:

'"Ii

~

-<O
t>O

On the Serological Constitution of the Fin Whales

93

longing to Bp2Jul and OJul groups only. The results are shown intable 5. As to the other blood cells except Bp2Jul and OJul groups,
no available detection of X antigen is carried out, but the X antigen
must occur in their blood cells also.
Table 5Frequency of occurrence of x antigen

x antigen

Bp and Ju
system---~--

I
I
I

Total
male
2

Bp2Jul

5

OJul

I
I

I

female

male

1

0

8.6

I

Total

x-

X+

(

6

31:.f
7

I

4o:o --:

female- - - s: 7

2

I

5

14

7

I

14
.............

7

60.0

5

!

fL3-

I

Kf3

I

I

····-·

30

85.7

35
----- II ---·· 100:0

Remark, upper fig.: actual number of whales examined.
lower fig.: percentage of total number examined.

Discussiona) Purification of standard reagents. In the present report, the author
states that the blood groups of fin whales can be classified by theJu system independently to Bp system which was noted in theprevious report (Fujino, 1953). Accordingly, in case of judgement ofblood groups belonging to Bp and Ju systems, four kinds of standard
reagents, namely anti-Bpl, anti-Bp2, anti-Jul and anti-Ju2 reagents,
should be used for testing after treatments of purification which arestated in section 3-c). That is to say; in the latter case of anti-Jul
and anti-Ju2 sera it is necessary that the species specific antibody ismerely adsorbed away from the immune antibody prior to use, but inthe former case of anti-Bpl and anti-Bp2 sera, anti-Jul and anti-Ju2
antibodies should be still more adsorbed away from the immune antiserum besides species specific antibody.
In case of judgement of blood groups which was stated in the previous report, as the Ju system blood groups are not known yet, such
purification of standard reagents was not considered. Consequently thefollowing tests should be carried out on these standard reagents and on
the adsorbing cells which was used in these investigations as related toaccuracy of judgement of blood types. That is to say:I. Which kinds of antigens of Ju system, namely Jul or Ju2,
had been contained in the blood cells being used as the immune antigen
in case of preparation of anti-Bpl and anti-Bp2 reagents? In other94

K. FUJINO

words, which kinds of antibodies in relation to Ju system bloodgroups, namely anti-Jul or anti-Ju2 antibodies, has been containedin anti-Bpl and anti-Bp2 reagents?
II. In the case of adsorption of species specific antibody fromthe antisera which contain anti-Bpl and anti-Bp2 antibodies, following question is to be risen. That is, whether the erythrocytes
being used was suitable or not as related to adsorption of anti-Ju
antibody, in other words, whether anti-Ju antibody was adsorbed
away completely or not.
As regards I, some examinations were carried out on the sera
which were prepared in the year 1952 and was preserved since then.
Consequently, in the anti-Bpl and anti-Bp2 immune antisera, the existence of anti-Ju2 antibody was not recognized, but anti-Jul antibody
was detected positively alone. Then the antibodies being contained in
the two kinds of these immune antisera are as follows :(1) Anti-Bpl blood cells immune No. 11 rabbit serum=anti-Bpl +anti-Jul +species specific antibodies.
(2) Anti-Bp2 blood cells immune No. 12 rabbit serum=anti-Bp2 + anti-J ul +species specific antibodies.
Following remarkable declines of agglutinin titers of these antibodies took place during the interval of three years' preservation.
After preservation agglutinin titers are 20 times in anti-Bpl and40 times in anti-Jul antibodies of heading (1), and are 80 times in antiBp2 and 40 times in anti-Jul antibodies of heading (2), while in thetime of preparation the agglutinin titers of anti-El and anti-Bp2 antidodies were 320 and 1280 times respectively (Fujino, 1953), that isfairly high titers in comparing with those after preservation.
Agglutinin titer of anti-Jul antibody in the time of preparation had
not been examined, but such declines of those may be assumed to takeplace.
As to II, matters are noted as follows. In case that the species
specific antibodies were adsorbed away from the abovestated (1) and (2)antisera, the erythrocytes used for adsorption have been selected according to not only agglutination test but also to cross reaction test with
anti-Bpl and anti-Bp2 reagents. Consequently, it may be safely said thatjudgement of Bp system blood groups, which was stated in the previous
report (1953), have not been affected by the occurrence of the antigens
belonging to Ju system.
As yet, X antigen is confirmed to occur merely in OJul and Bp2Jul
type blood cells, but it may be presumable that this X antigen occurs
in other kinds of cells also. Accordingly, as stated in section 3-c), incase of preparation of reagents blood cells without X antigen should beOn the Serological Constitution of the Fin Whales

95

used as immune antigen. As X antigen had not been known in theyears 1952 and 1954, no attention in purification of antibody, as related
to anti-X antibody, has been rendered on the reagents used in these years.
Therefore, the existence of anti-X antibody should be examined onthese antisera. First, the reagents which was prepared in 1952 did
not react positively with X antigen even in the case of using the notdiluted sera. However, as it has not been clear whether the declines oftiter of anti-X antibody took place as in the other antibodies or not,no information can be received on existence of anti-X antibody in thetime of preperation in 1952. Secondly, as regards the reagents being
prepared in the year 1954, anti-X agglutinin was detected in anti-Bp2Ju2
immune antiserum (table 3. Anti-X serum). But its titer is very low
and reaches up to no more than 20 times. On the other hand, theagglutinin titers of anti-Bp2 and anti-Ju2 antibodies which are contained in this anti-Bp2Ju2 serum reach up to 200 and 400 times respectively, and then this antiserum was always diluted by 50 or 100 times inany case of use. Accordingly, the anti-X antibody of abovestated reagent has never reacted positively with X antigen.
Consequently, it is unlikely supposed that in case of using the antiBp2Ju2 reagent judgement of blood type is confused by X-antigen
and the frequencies of occurrence of blood groups result in uncertainty.
From the abovestated facts, followings may be supposed. As thesufficient attention was not rendered on purification of antibody in caseof preparation of antiserum in the year 1952, it is supposed to be insignificant that the results of occurrence of blood groups in 1952 arecompared with those in the years 1954 and 1955 when the purificationof antibody was considered in relation to anti-Ju and anti-X antibodies.
According to the facts which was stated in this section, it seems
to the author that the following problem is important in future investigation. That is : when the frequencies of occurrence of bloodgroups are investigated, simultaneously purification of antibody should
always be taken into consideration. For the purpose of this problem,
it is necessary to detect the unknown antigens and to study on thecorrelation between titer and dilution rate of antibody and on the declines of titer being derived from preservation regarding to the alreadyknown antibody.
b) Differentiation of breeding popul,ations. The conception, that thefrequency of occurrence of blood groups is significant as indicator ofraces of animals, bases theoretically on the fact that blood group is a kindof hereditary charactor2 l 3 Hl5 J. It has been already confirmed that bloodgroup is a hereditary charactor in some mammals6l as well as in humanbeing, and in what way are inherited these blood groups into their

K. FUJINO

96

calves. It may be analogized from this that the Bp and Ju systems ofblood groups of fin whales are also hereditary charactors.
As regards the fin whales being taken from the grounds, i.e. A, B
and C, of the northern part of North Pacific, no clue by which these
fin whales can be separated into different breeding populations has beenobtained. 1 isi As stated in section 3-e), however, marked differences wereseen in the frequencies of occurrence of blood groups related to Bp andJu systems between the fin whales from A ground and those from B
ground in the years 1954 and 1955. According to this fact, it may be
assumed that the fin whales from the grounds A and B belong to theseparate breeding populations respectively, but in order to reach adefinite conclusion the theoretical proof, that is, the statistical treatment
basing upon the formality of inheritance, must be obtained. However,as the fin whales has huge body, it is not able to make clear the parentages in inheritance by the breeding of whales. Therefore, a part of
the formality of inheritance may be merely confirmed according to thecorrelation between cows and calves. Embryological study of bloodgroups and statistical treatment on which the abovestated conceptions
have their grounds will be discussed in future occasion.
Conclusion(1) The existence of the two kinds of antigens, namely Jul andJu2, which differ from those of Bp system (Fujino, K., 1953), was confirmed positively by using the immune sera which were produced by
the rabbits being immunized with the fin whale erythrocytes. Consequently, the blood groups of fin whales were classified independently to
Bp system into three kinds, i.e. Ju1Ju2, Jul and Ju2, and the existenceof twelve kinds of blood groups were proved as follows.
~p system~----------------

Ju system----

Bp1Bp2

Bpl

Bp2

0

Ju1Ju2

I Bp1Bp2Ju1Ju2 i Bp1Ju1Ju2

Bp2Ju1Ju2

0Ju1Ju2Jul\ Bp1Bp2Jul

BplJul

Bp2JulOJul

Ju2: Bp1Bp2Ju2

Bp1Ju2

Bp2Ju2

0Ju2I--------------:------- -- -- - - - - - - - - - -(2) Frequencies of occurrence of Bp and Ju system blood groups
were investigated on the fin whales taken from the ground A, B and
C of the northern part of the North Pacific Ocean in the years 1954 and1955. In what follows these results are noted separately by the groundsof A (off Kamchatka), B (northern side of eastern Aleutian Islands)
and C (southern side of eastern Aleutian Islands).

On the Serological Constitution of the Fin WhalesI.

97

Bp system blood groups (figures in per cent).
A-ground (316 whales examined in 1954)
Bp1Bp2: 5.4, Bpl: 12.7, Bp2: 25.0, 0: 56.9
(113 whales examined in 1955)" Bp1Bp2 : 1.8, Bpl : 4.4, Bp2 : 10.6, 0 : 83.2
B-ground (393 whales examined in 1954)
Bp1Bp2 : 0.0, Bpl : 0.0, Bp2: 10.2, 0 : 89.8
(1034 whales examined in 1955)" Bp1Bp2 : 0.0, Bpl : 0.0, Bp2 : 26.4, 0: 73.6
C-ground (no whales examined in 1954),,(32 whales examined in 1955)
Bp1Bp2 : 0.0, Bpl : 0.0, Bp2 : 50.0, 0 : 50.0
II. Ju system blood groups (figures in per cent)A-ground (316 whales examined in 1954)
Ju1Ju2: 7.6, Jul: 73.5, Ju2: 18.9
(113 whales examined in 1955)" Ju1Ju2: 2.7, Jul: 85.8, Ju2: 11.5
B-ground (393 whales examined in 1954)
Ju1Ju2: 0.6, Jul : 98.2, Ju2: 1.2(1034 whales examined in 1955)" Ju1Ju2: 0.7, Jul: 98.1, Ju2: 1.2
C-ground (no whales examined in 1954),,(32 whales examined in 1955)
Ju1Ju2: 3.1, Jul: 90.7, Ju2: 6.2
In these results, the marked differences are seen in the frequenciesof blood groups both in Bp and Ju systems between fin whales from
A-ground and those from B-ground. Details are as follows.
As regards Bp system, in the A ground Bpl factor (Bpl and Bp1Bp2
groups) occurs 18.0 per cent of 316 whales in 1954 and 6.2 per cent of
113 whales in 1955, but contrary to this fact no Bpl factor is seen in
the B ground in both years.
As to Ju system, Jul blood type occurs more predominantly thanJul type both in the A and B grounds. The frequencies of occurrenceof Ju2 factor (Ju2 and Ju1Ju2 groups), which shows 26.5 per cent and14.2 per cent in the years 1954 and 1955 respectively as to the A
ground, are deemed to be by far higher than those, namely 1.8 per centin 1954 and 1.9 per cent in 1955, of the B ground.
As yet no clue by which these fin whales being taken from the A
and B grounds are separated into different breeding populations has beenobtained. According to these differences in the frequencies of Bp andJu blood groups, however, it may be assumed that the fin whales fromthe A and B grounds belong to the separate breeding populations re-

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K. FUJINO

spectively. But in order to reach a definite conclusion, the statisticaltreatment must be rendered in future occasions.
(3) The existence of the new antigen X which differs from theantigens belonging to Bp and Ju system is confirmed positively by using
the antibody which is produced by the rabbit being immunized withthe blood cells of fin whales. Up to the present this antigen X occurred merely in the OJul and Bp2Ju1 type blood cells, but the correlations with Bp and Ju systems have not been made clear.
References
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)

Fujino, K.: Scientific Rept. Whales Research Inst., 8: 103-124, 1953.
Dungern, E. and Hirschfeld, L.: Zeitschr. f. Immuniti.itsf., 4: 531-546, 1910.
Dungern, E. and Hirschfeld, L.: Ibid., 6: 284, 1913.
Furuhata, T.: Shakai Igaku Zasshi, 471: 183-201, 1925.
Furuhata, T.: Ibid., 472: 28-31, 1926.
Owen, R. D., C. Stormont and M. R. Irwin: Genetics, 32: 64-74, 1947.
Omura, H.: The Norwegian Whaling Gazette, 6: 323-345 and 7: 395-405, 1955.
Fujino, K. et al.: Biological Investigation of Whales taken from the northern Pacific
Ocean in the years 1955, Japanese Whaling Association, 1956 (in Japanese).