[Alpha fetoprotein in maternal blood during normal and pathological pregnancies]. / Dosage de l'alpha foeto protéine dans le sérum maternel au cours de grossesses normales et pathologiques.

AFP was assayed in serum of normal pregnant women and in patients with pathological pregnancy. Pathological levels of AFP, defined as increased or decreased concentrations compared with the normal distribution, was detected in 83.5 % of pregnant women who delivered a dysmature child and in 88 % of those whose placenta was macroscopically sclerous. A longitudinal determination of AFP appears to be useful in the follow-up of risk of abortion.

[Radioimmunologic assay of alpha-fetoprotein in various normal and pathological conditions]. / Dosage radio-immunologique de l'alpha-foetoprotéine dans différentes conditions normales et pathologiques

AFP can be measured by radioimmunoassay in 52 hours using an incubation at 18 degrees C for 48 hours and the double antibody solid phase method to separate the free labelled AFP from the labelled AFP bound to the antibodies. In these conditions, the sensitivity and precision of the assay are very satisfactory and the results are directly in correlation with the results obtained using the classical double antibody method. In the serum of normal people, except pregnant women, the concentration of AFP is not detectable or is less than 20 ng/ml. In the serum of pregnant women, AFP increases from the 8th. week of gestation to the 32nd., then stabilises or gradually decreases.