Distinctive serum globulin responses to parenteral treatment with 17-beta-estradiol in female NZB/NZW mice.

After 6 weeks of treatment with 17;6-estradiol, two distinct groups of female NZB/ NZW mice were identified. Group I females developed significant increases in serum f f 2 , pand y-globulins and had few serologic abnormalities. Serum globulins did not increase in Group I1 females. This blunted response correlated with a pretreatment increase in the frequency of positive tests for ANA, LE phenomena and cryoproteins in 4-week-old Group II mice.