Quantitative assessment of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in pregnant rats, revealing fetal liver activity and placental transfer.
Summary The serum alpha-fetoprotein (α1F) concentrations of pregnant rats before and after delivery were quantitated by radioimmunoassay. An abrupt elevation occurred between 10 and 14 days of gestation, corresponding to the time of morphogenesis of the fetal liver. The concentrations decreased rapidly after delivery. The results are consistent with α1F production in the fetus and not in maternal organs, with a rapid feto-maternal placental transfer.
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Stewart Sell (1973) studied this question.
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