Serum a-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in several species of animals were measured by the polyethylene glycol method of radioimmunoassay for human AFP. The serum AFP level was less than 15 ng/ml in normal adult dogs, cats, cows, goats, horses, mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and human beings.
In newborn puppies, kittens, and calves it was high at birth and decreased rapidly within 24 hours and then gradually with an advance in age. In newborn rats and chicks it was low at birth and decreased gradually with an advance in age.
No significant changes occurred in the maternal serum AFP level of normal pregnant dogs and cows in any stage of pregnancy. Radioimmunoassay seemed to be available for investigation of changes of AFP level in animals in which AFPs were strongly cross-reactive with the anti-human AFP.
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