Rhesus or Rh Factor The Rh factor or Rh antigen is found on the surface of erythrocytes. It was discovered in by Karl Landsteiner and Alexander Wiener in the blood of rhesus monkey, Macaca rhesus and later in human beings. The term ‘Rh factor’ refers to “immunogenic D antigen of the Rh blood group system”. An individual having D antigen are Rh D positive (Rh + ) and those without D antigen are Rh D negative (Rh - ).
Rhesus factor in the blood is inherited as a dominant trait. Naturally occurring Anti D antibodies are absent in the plasma of any normal individual. However if an Rh - (Rh negative) person is exposed to Rh + (Rh positive) blood cells (erythrocytes) for the first time, anti D antibodies are formed in the blood of that individual. On the other hand, when an Rh positive person receives Rh negative blood no effect is seen.