Agglutinogen is a blood protein. Antigens are formed already in the third month of fetal development. It is present in the composition of 2, 3 and 4 blood groups. It is known, according to modern data, about 236 antigens, which are grouped into 29 systems. The blood group is determined based on 2 systems - ABO and Rh factor.
Blood composition. Agglutinogen is what?
As you know, blood consists of water, plasma and also formed elements: white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets.
Agglutinogens are also called antigens (AH). They are present in all cells of the body. Their protection is needed everywhere. Even in the brain. Antigens are also located on the inner surface of red blood cells. White blood cells (over 90 species) also have their agglutinogens.
Agglutinogen is a chemical substance that stores and identifies genetically alien information for a particular individual and interacts with antibodies.
By their chemical nature, they are divided into:
- proteins (Rhesus protein, Colton, etc.);
- glycoproteins (Lutheran);
- glycolipids (ABO).
Agglutinogen is gamma globulin, which is inherited by the newborn. He, together with the agglutinin present in plasma, determines the blood group, which will be described below.
The functions of agglutinogens and agglutinins
If agglutinogens, they are also antigens, are obtained from parents, then agglutinins (antibodies or antibodies) are produced during the first year of a child's life. Antibodies are synthesized by the immune system, and they interact only with the antigen for which they are intended.
It is antibodies that cause an immune response. They agglutinate (in other words, stick together) microbial cells and so destroy them. Then these lumps with dead alien cells precipitate and are simply excreted. And antigens give them all the necessary information. So agglutinogens, blood agglutinins save the body from the invasion of foreign bodies. Without their work, survival under environmental conditions is impossible.
Blood types
Groups are distinguished by the presence or absence of antigens and antibodies. There are a lot of antigens. However, the most important for doctors antigen A and B, as well as antibodies Alpha and Beta.
The second important characteristic of human blood is the Rh protein of the blood, i.e., its presence or absence.
| Group | Agglutinogens (AH) | Agglutinins (AT) |
| 1 | - | alpha and beta AT |
| 2 | A | beta AT |
| 3 | B | Alpha AT |
| 4 | A, b | - |
So distinguish blood groups; agglutinogens and agglutinins are taken for classification only those that are related to agglutination.
To determine the group, conduct such an experiment. When blood serum is mixed, an agglutination reaction occurs (or does not occur). According to this reaction, they conclude.
Agglutination is a reaction in which antibodies and antigens that are incompatible with each other stick together and break down. For example, agglutinogens of erythrocytes of the 2nd blood group are combined with plasma Beta antibodies. If Alpha antibodies enter this blood, they will adhere. The cells will die. And Beta antibodies that enter the test tube with blood serum having antigen B will also “trigger” the above reaction.
Research history
For the first time, blood groups were distributed according to the ABO system. This happened in 1901, when K. Landsteiner discovered antibodies. The classification was developed by K. Landsteiner and J. Yansky. They came to the conclusion that agglutinogen is a particle without knowledge of the characteristics of which it is impossible to continue experiments with transfusion. And they continued to work in this direction. In 1903, 4 groups were allocated.
And in 1940, A. Wiener and K. Landsteiner discovered the Rh factor. This protein is found in approximately 85% of people with white skin. If the protein is present in the blood, it is a positive rhesus (Rh +), and when not present - a negative rhesus (Rh-). Since then, the blood group has been classified based on 2 of these systems.
Transfusion Rules
Blood transfusion even in our time, with all the medical knowledge of our century, is dangerous. They only resort to transfusion when blood loss is 25% or more of the total. There are many dangers - viruses, post-transfusion shock - whatever.
Try to find the most suitable blood, otherwise blood transfusion complications may occur. Although it is well known that people with group 1 are universal donors, nevertheless, if the volumes of transfused blood are rather large, it is better to abandon a different blood group. The same applies to people with 4 groups who are recipients for the remaining groups.
The carriers of group 1 are precisely because of this they are called universal donors, which are not important for blood transfusion agglutinogens. After all, the agglutination reaction in this case will not be.
In general, transfusion rules are simple. But still, no one can say the consequences of the transfusion in advance. Hidden agglutinogens may be present in the blood, and the analysis is likely that they will not be detected. Then a person after transfusion of large volumes of blood will die from shock. Nevertheless, each person needs to know exactly each person and, of course, to know the presence of Rh protein.
Rhesus factor and pregnancy
If a woman has a negative Rh protein , it means that pregnancy can cause problems. A child with this protein will be a foreign object for the mother's body.
Once women were even recommended not to marry a man who has Rh protein. Maternal antibodies will destroy fetal red blood cells. After all, every agglutinogen is a part of the “system of attack” on cells that seem alien to them.
With a rhesus conflict, the following complications are possible:
- hemolytic disease in a child;
- jaundice at birth;
- miscarriage.
Nevertheless, if a woman takes care of herself and is constantly under the control of doctors, the child will be born completely healthy.