title: Biological variation of immunoglobulin concentrations in normal human tears related to age and sex.
abstract: Single radial immunodiffusion method was used to measure the concentration of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgD in tears of 220 healthy individuals aged from 2 to 86 years. Relation of the values to age and sex has been evaluated statistically by regression analysis method. Mean IgA level was 30.7 mg/100 ml. IgG could be detected in 200 samples and the level was less than 1 mg/100 ml. IgM was detected in only 7 samples and the value was less than 1 mg/100 ml. IgD could not be detected in any of the sample. The IgA level in males and that in females differs significantly, the females having a higher mean value. The IgA level appears to increase in both sexes with age. No relationship with age and sex could be established in other types of immunoglobulins.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007072:Immunoglobulin D / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013666:Tears / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007072:Immunoglobulin D; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007136:Immunoglobulins