Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Alpha-fetoprotein: a review.

B F Crandall

    Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
    |January 1, 1981
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a key fetal protein. Elevated levels in amniotic fluid or maternal serum can signal fetal abnormalities or malignancies, aiding in diagnosis and monitoring.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Education and testing strategy for large-scale cystic fibrosis carrier screening.

    Journal of genetic counseling·2013
    Same author

    RAPADILINO syndrome: a multiple malformation syndrome with radial and patellar aplasia.

    Teratology·1999
    Same author

    Radiographic and morphologic findings in a previously undescribed type of mesomelic dysplasia resembling atelosteogenesis type II.

    American journal of medical genetics·1998
    Same author

    Congenital olivopontocerebellar atrophy: report of two siblings with paleo- and neocerebellar atrophy.

    Acta neuropathologica·1998
    Same author

    American College of Medical Genetics statement on folic acid: fortification and supplementation.

    American journal of medical genetics·1998
    Same author

    Significance of fetal intracardiac echogenic foci in relation to trisomy 21: a prospective sonographic study of high-risk pregnant women.

    AJR. American journal of roentgenology·1998
    Same journal

    Indirect methods for the verification of reference intervals in laboratory medicine.

    Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences·2026
    Same journal

    Sustainability and waste reduction in clinical laboratories.

    Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences·2026
    Same journal

    Aptamer-based biosensing strategies for influenza virus detection: a systematic and critical review of electrochemical and optical platforms.

    Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences·2026
    Same journal

    Advancing patient safety through laboratory quality indicators in clinical pathology.

    Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences·2026
    Same journal

    Blood biomarkers for the diagnosis of chorioamnionitis following preterm premature rupture of membranes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies since 2020.

    Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences·2026
    Same journal

    Single cell mechanodeformation signatures as early biomarkers for hematological malignancies.

    Critical reviews in clinical laboratory sciences·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
    • Oncology

    Background:

    • Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is the primary fetal serum protein, crucial during gestation.
    • AFP is synthesized by the fetal liver and found in amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal serum (MS).
    • Its presence post-birth is abnormal, except in pregnancy, and elevated levels can indicate specific health issues.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the history, biochemistry, and assays of AFP.
    • To discuss the indications and limitations of AFP measurement in AF and MS.
    • To highlight AFP's role in screening for fetal abnormalities and monitoring malignancies.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing literature on AFP.
    • Analysis of AFP's biochemical properties and production pathways.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • Evaluation of diagnostic assays for AFP in biological fluids.

    • Main Results:

    • Elevated AF/AFP levels (excluding contamination) suggest fetal demise or abnormalities.
    • Maternal serum AFP screening between 15-20 weeks gestation can identify neural tube defects.
    • AFP monitoring is valuable for detecting recurrence of certain malignancies.

    Conclusions:

    • AFP measurement in AF and MS is a vital diagnostic and screening tool.
    • Strict protocols are necessary for accurate maternal serum AFP screening.
    • AFP plays a significant role in both prenatal diagnostics and cancer management.