Heat-treatment of proteins from human sera and bovine serum albumin caused an increase in their binding to microplates in a temperature-dependent manner. Quantitative data were obtained for 125I-labelled human IgG, with binding of up to 400 ng of 56 degrees-treated IgG per untreated well. However, only a minor increase in available antibody activity of adsorbed rabbit antibody was found upon pretreatment at 56 degrees. The increased binding to microplates as a result of pre-incubation at raised temperatures was by high pressure liquid gel permeation chromatography demonstrated to be accompanied by polymerization. Inhibition of the direct binding of the proteins to plastic surface was achieved most efficiently by coating with non-interfering proteins followed by non-ionic detergent (Tween 20), which should also be present in the wash buffer.