What is the D antigen (Rh factor) in the blood?

Aurora Health Care

D antigen is a protein with many parts, found on the surface of red blood cells. The D antigen is also known as the "Rh factor," and it tells your blood type. People are either D (Rh) negative or D (Rh) positive. If your blood type is D negative, your red blood cells do not have the D antigen.

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Blood Basics

Our blood is a living tissue with a variety of critical functions: It delivers oxygen and nutrients to our organs, fights infections and creates blood clots, preventing us from bleeding excessively when a blood vessel is damaged. The liquid part of our blood, called plasma, is key for maintaining blood pressure and supplying critical proteins for blood clotting, immunity and maintaining the correct pH balance in our body -- critical to cell function. Plasma also carries the solid part of our blood -- white blood cells, which work to destroy viruses and bacteria; red blood cells, which carry oxygen through the body; and platelets, which help clotting. Learn more about blood basics with expert advice from Sharecare.

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