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The vitreous body of the eye of human fetuses contains serum albumin (SA) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is normally characteristic of human embryos and fetuses. In the second trimester, both proteins are found in the vitreous body at a concentration comparable to that in the blood serum, after which their content decreases sharply. In this analytical review, taking into account the biological properties of SA and AFP, the role of these proteins in the processes of growth and differentiation of the structures of the developing eye is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was shown in the retina and lens of the human fetal eye at different stages of prenatal development. PCR analysis revealed AFP mRNA neither in the retina nor in the lens, whereas in the fetal liver (control) AFP mRNA was found to be expressed. The data obtained indicate that AFP is not synthesized in retinal and lens cells of the human fetal eye but is imported from elsewhere to be taken up by these cells. The presence of AFP in the retina and lens implies its involvement in early morphogenesis and differentiation of these ocular tissues during prenatal human development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The content of serum albumin and alpha-fetoprotein in the vitreous body of the eyes of human fetuses from the 16th through the 24th week was investigated. It was detected that albumin and alpha-fetoprotein in the vitreous body of human eyes are presented in equal molar concentrations in the 16th week. There is 1.5-fold increased concentration of alpha-fetoprotein in comparison to albumin during the 17th week. After the 17th week, there was a reduction in the concentration of both proteins. It was reported that cyanine dye, used for detection of albumin, does not interact with alpha-fetoprotein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

α-Fetoprotein was detected in human fetal vitreous body and its concentrations on gestation weeks 16-24 were measured. The concentration of α-fetoprotein was maximum during week 17 of pregnancy (17.4 mg/ml), but then decreased and reached 1.42 mg/ml by week 24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]