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Investigations on six males with naturally occurring Rh antibodies are described. In two subjects in whom the antibody (one anti-E and one anti-D) could be detected only by a two-stage papain technique, the survival of incompatible red cells was normal. In the remaining four subjects, the antibodies (two anti-E and two anti-D) could be detected by the indirect antiglobulin test and, in these, incompatible red cells were destroyed at an accelerated rate; in two of the subjects, 75-99% of the cells were cleared within 24 h; in the other two, 50% of the cells were cleared within 24 h and the remaining cells were cleared far more slowly. All six antibodies were mainly or wholly IgG; a clear-cut immune response was observed in only one case.

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Dantu, a previously undescribed low-incidence red cell antigen, is inherited as a Mendelian dominant character. The Dantu antigen is associated with very weak s antigen, protease resistant N antigen and either very weak or no U antigen. Two of the propositi had previously been shown to have an unusual hybrid MNSs sialoglycoprotein, and it is probably this which carries these unusual N, s and U antigens as well as the Dantu antigen. A study of the family of one propositus suggests, by conventional genetics, that Dantu is not controlled by the MNSs locus; a possible explanation is given. Several examples of anti-Dantu are known, one was found to cause a positive direct antiglobulin reaction on neonatal red cells.

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