The most serious obstacle tot transplantation of animal organs to human beings is the hyperacute xenogeneic rejection reaction, which cuses rapid destruction of all organs derived from from all mammals except primates. This rejection is largely due to incompatibilities of blood groups and tissue antigens.
The exploration of serology and genetic of cellular and soluble blood groups in erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes in serum and other body fluids of animals has reached a remarkable standard. Results concerning investigations on lymphocyte antigens, serogenetics, immuno-regulation and tumour imunology and xenotransplantation show that the field is not yet completed. In a time of rapid development of immunocenetics Prof. Dr. Dieter Otto Schmid and colleagues compiled a monography on blood groups of animals.