Alpha-fetoprotein

alpha-fetoprotein

n. Abbr. AFP

An antigen produced in the fetal liver that can appear in certain diseases of adults, such as liver cancer, and whose level in amniotic fluid can be used to detect certain fetal abnormalities, including Down syndrome and spina bifida.

---

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)

A substance produced by a fetus' liver that can be found in the amniotic fluid and in the mother's blood. Abnormally high levels of this substance suggests there may be defects in the fetal neural tube, a structure that will include the brain and spinal cord when completely developed. Abnormally low levels suggest the possibility of Down' syndrome.

Mentioned in: Amniocentesis, Liver Cancer, Pregnancy

---

alpha-fetoprotein

a plasma protein produced by the fetal liver, yolk sac and gastrointestinal tract and also by some cancers in humans. In animals it binds testosterone and estrogens in the blood and provides a reservoir for these hormones. Called also AFP. In humans the serum AFP level is used to monitor the effectiveness of cancer treatment, and the amniotic fluid AFP level is used in the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects.