Maternal plasma levels of alpha-fetoprotein during oestrous cycles and pregnancy in mice

Abstract

Murine alpha-fetoprotein (mAFP) plasma levels during oestrous cycles and early pregnancy were measured using a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). During the oestrous cycles, the maternal plasma levels of AFP increased significantly in metoestrus as compared with the three other stages of the cycle ( P < 0.01). The maternal plasma concentration of AFP increased further on Day 1 of pregnancy, and the concentration at Day 1 was significantly higher than the levels measured both at metoestrus and at Day 2 of pregnancy ( P < 0.01). This increase in AFP level on Day 1 was also significant in pseudopregnant mice. The AFP levels remained low in the first half of gestation and were unaffected by implantation. During the latter half of pregnancy, the maternal plasma levels of AFP increased in close correlation with the increase in fetal mass.