Determination of maternal serum acetylcholinesterase in pregnancies with fetal neural tube defects

We have investigated the occurrence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) (E.C. 3.1.1.7) in fetal serum, amniotic fluid and maternal serum using an immuno-chemical assay-technique employing both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Fetal serum had increased amounts of AChE, which is due to an increase in the 10.5S form of the enzyme. This form was also found in amniotic fluids of pregnancies with a fetal neural tube defect (NTD), but not in normal amniotic fluid. The increase in amniotic fluid AChE was however, not reflected in the maternal serum.

Determination of neuron specific enolase in amniotic fluid and maternal serum for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal neural tube defects

Maternal serum neuron-specific enolase was tested as a marker for fetal nural tube defect. In around 50% of pregnancies with affected fetus the level was elevated. The increase was also found in the amniotic fluids. Normal fetal serum did not display elevation of neuron-specific enolase.

Normal human serum contains two forms of acetylcholinesterase

We have produced antibodies (polyclonal and monoclonal) against acetylcholinesterase, and used them for immuno-chemical demonstration and quantification of the enzyme in serum. The concentration was 1.2 IU/l. The antibodies were shown not to cross-react with human butyrylcholinesterase, using pure preparations of the enzymes. The serum acetylcholinesterase could be purified using affinity chromatography. The resulting preparation was analyzed using sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Two forms of the enzyme with sedimentation constants of 10.9S and 7.6S were observed, both reacted equally well with monoclonal antibodies towards acetylcholinesterase indicating a common epitope.

Antigens in human glioblastomas and meningiomas: Search for tumour and onco-foetal antigens. Estimation of S-100 and GFA protein

Extracts of glioblastomas and meningiomas were analysed by quantitative immunoelectrophoresis for the presence of foetal brain antigens and tumour-associated antigens, and levels of 2 normal brain-specific proteins were also determined. The following antibodies were used: monospecific anti-S-100 (glia specific); monospecific anti-GFA (glial fibrillary acidic protein), (astroglia specific); polyspecific anti-foetal brain (12-16th week of gestation); a polyspecific anti-glioblastoma antiserum, absorbed with insolubilized serum, haemolysate and normal brain extract; polyspecific anti-alpha-foetoprotein; and monospecific anti-ferritin. Using the antibodies raised against the tumours, several antigens not present in foetal or adult normal brain were found in the glioblastomas and the meningiomas. These antigens cross-reacted with antigens present in normal liver and were therefore not tumour-associated. S-100 was found in glioblastomas in approximately one tenth the amount in whole brain homogenate, whereas GFA was found 2-4 times enriched. The 2 proteins were absent in meningiomas. The possible use of the GFA protein as a marker for astroglial neoplasia is discussed. Five foetal antigens were found in foetal brain, but none in the tumours. alpha-Foetoprotein could only be demonstrated in foetal tissue extracts, including foetal brain, but not in tumours. Ferritin was detected in all tumour extracts, although the amounts determined were unrelated to histological tumour type.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein as a marker for the effect of post-operative radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy in eight cases of ovarian endodermal sinus tumour

The clinical pathological findings of eight cases of ovarian endodermal sinus tumour (yolk sac tumour) are presented. Histological exmination in all eight cases showed a typical endodermal sinus tumour pattern, and in six of the patients other tumour elements such as dysgerminoma, choriocarcinoma, malignant teratoma, endometriosis, and a dermoid cyst were also found. Six patients had increased serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration in the post-operative period, and two patients had a normal concentration 27 and 35 days after operation, respectively. In all cases except one, a close correlation between serum alpha-fetoprotein and progression or regression of tumour was found. Serum alphafetoprotein was thus found to be a reliable parameter in post-operative radiation and/or chemotherapy (VAMBLE). In one patient who died 10 months after operation with widespread endodermal sinus tumour growth, only a small terminal increase in serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration was found. Four of the eight women are still alive with normal alpha-fetoprotein concentration, and without clinical evidence of tumour disease.

Alpha-fetoprotein-like activity in sera from patients with malignant and non-malignant disease and healthy individuals

A new method, radio-crossed immunoelectrophoresis, demonstrates alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in sera with a sensitivity of 1 mug/1. By this method AFP with alpha mobility was not found in sera from healthy individuals, patients with chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, secondary liver cancer and cystic fibrosis. In some of the sera, AFP was elevated when measured by conventional radioimmunoassay method and the sera contained an AFP-like substance with gamma mobility when analyzed by radio-crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The nature of this gamma substance is still obscure and needs further investigation.

Reference interval for maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration was measured in 237 samples taken throughout the pregnancies of 28 normal pregnant women who all gave birth to normal infants. The patterns from these 28 individuals curves were compared graphically with an earlier published non-parametric 90% reference interval based upon single serum samples from other normal, pregnant women. The two "reference areas" were found to be quite similar. Maternal serum AFP values before and after induced abortion in a case of acrania and spina bifida demonstrated the value of serial maternal serum AFP quantitations in cases of suspected neural tube defects (NTD).

Alpha-fetoprotein concentration in amniotic fluid during the last trimester in normal pregnancies and in pregnancies with severe fetal abnormalities

The concentration of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the amniotic fluid was studied during the last trimester of pregnancy. 129 samples of amniotic fluid were collected by transabdominal amniocentesis in 94 pregnant women. Only women with uncomplicated pregnancies giving birth to normal infants at term were included. The 90% reference interval was calculated and a distinct decrease in the amniotic fluid AFP concentration was found during the last trimester. An AFP concentration above the 90% reference interval was found in 8 out of 10 cases of anencephaly. Normal AFP concentration was found in a case of congenital heart disease with severe oedema, and a low concentration was found in a case of Down's syndrome (Trisomy 21).

Alpha-fetoprotein in amniotic fluid and serum from pregnant women with severe rhesus isoimmunization

In 12 pregnant women with severe rhesusiso-immunization the AFP concentration in amniotic fluid (50 samples), maternal serum (212 samples) and cord blood (5 samples) were determined by immuno-electrophoresis. With surviving infants (9 patients) the initial values in amniotic fluid before intrauterine transfusion (IUT) lie evenly distributed within the 90% reference interval. In serum the initial values are within the 90% reference interval, but above the mean level for AFP concentration for gestational age. A similar pattern is seen in the period up to delivery. In 3 cases of intrauterine/neonatal death the initial concentrations of AFP in maternal serum were significantly above the upper limit of normal range, whereas all the initial amniotic fluid concentrations were close to 95% fractile. Intrauterine transfusions do not influence the AFP profiles in a uniform way. The AFP concentration in maternal serum may be used in evaluation of severe rhesus-isoimmunized pregnancies.

Alpha-fetoprotein concentration in cord blood from twins and from a set of quadruplets--a case of superfetatio?

Alpha-Fetoprotein has been determined in cord blood fron mono- and dizygotic twins and in a case of quadruplets. The possibility of superfetatio has been evaluated by the clinically calculated gestational ages and by the alpha-fetoprotein levels in cord blood, especially in a case of quadruplets.

Serum alpha-foetoprotein as a marker for endodermal sinus tumour (yolk sac tumour) or a vitelline component of "teratocarcinoma"

The correlation between serum alpha-foetoprotein (AFP) and the clinical pathological finding of 24 germ cell tumours arising from the testes (14 cases), the ovaries (3 cases), the mediastinum (3 cases), the retroperitoneal region (2 cases), and the sacrococcygeal region (2 cases) are presented. Irrespective of marked differences in age and sex of the patients, primary site of the tumours and clinical outcome, the 24 cases constituted a homogeneous group in fundamental histological patterns and in AFP synthesis. In all cases of endodermal sinus tumour or teratocarcinomas with a distinct vitelline component an increased serum AFP concentrations was found in the pre-operative serum samples. AFP was also demonstrated in the tumour tissue by quantitative determination of AFP in tumour homogenate (5 cases) and, by immunofluorescence technique, positive staining of the cells lining the endodermal sinuses and of the hyaline globules was found (3 cases). In 12 germ cell tumours without vitelline components in the tumour tissue sections, a normal AFP concentration below 20 mug/1 was found in preoperative serum samples.

The histogenetic-embryologic basis for reappearance of alpha-fetoprotein in endodermal sinus tumors (yolk sac tumors) and teratomas

The mechanism of neosynthesis of the human tumor-associated fetal antigen alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a variable percentage of patients with testicular, ovarian and extragonadal germ cell tumors has generally been considered unknown or beyond any simple explanation. Of decisive importance is the cellular basis for AFP production 1. in ontogenesis and 2. in malignancy as dependent on an exact tumor histogenesis. Based on (1) the histogenetic-embryologic classification of germ cell tumors and the concept of yolk sac tumor (or endodermal sinus tumor), (2) the available clinical and experimental observations, and (3) the immunofluorescent localization of AFP in the endodermal sinus tumor of the human testis, it is concluded that AFP synthesis in these neoplasms is explained by the fact that they contain yolk sac endoderm, which produce AFP analogous with the physiological AFP synthesis by the fetal yolk sac in early embryogenesis.

Serum human placental lactogen hormone concentration in the second half of pregnancy determined by a simple immunoelectrophoretic technique

By a simple rocket immunoelectrophoretic method the 90 % normal range of serum human placental lactogen hormone (HPL) in the second half of pregnancy was determined in 436 normal pregnant women. The mean half life of HPL after delivery of normal infants determined in 5 patients was found to be 14.6 min (range 13.2–16.4 min). A close correlation was found between serum HPL and serum progesterone (r = 0.75). No circadian rhythm was found.

Alpha 1-fetoprotein and carbonic anhydrase B and C concentration in cord blood from newborn infants of diabetic mothers

Erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase (CA) concentration B and C and the α1-fetoprotein (AFP) concentration was determined in cord blood from 45 newborn infants of diabetic mothers (IDM). The concentration of these quantities has separately been compared with the corresponding concentration in cord blood from normal newborn infants with the same gestational age. No difference was found except for AFP, where a significantly (P < 0.05) higher concentration was found in some infants of insulin treated diabetic mothers.