The present study examines the isotype of cell surface immunoglobulins involved in triggering a response to thymus-dependent and thymus-independent antigens. Antibodies to immunoglobulin isotypes were used to block the in vitro interaction of receptor IgD and IgM with antigen. The results indicate that both IgD and IgM are necessary to trigger a response to TNP-SRBC but that only IgM is required for responsiveness to TNP-Brucella. Limiting dilution studies indicate that the inhibition of the immune response by antibody occurs at the level of precursor activation and suggest that there is no effect of antibody on subsequent proliferation of the daughter cells.