Role of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the regulation of ovarian activity during hepatocarcinogenesis and post-natal development.

N-fluorenylacetamide produces an augmentation of serum AFP which is accompanied by a drastic decrease of ovarian activity. A passive augmentation of the AFP level of adult rats, produced by injection of this protein provokes the same phenomenon: i.e. a decrease of follicular maturation, a decrease number of corpora lutea and finally a drop in the plasma progesterone level. The study of ovarian post-natal development shows that ovarian maturity occurs on the 35th day of life when AFP level reaches its adult serum concentration. These facts support the hypothesis that AFP plays a role in the regulation of ovaries during the sexual maturation of the female rat.