Role of Albumin and Alpha-Fetoprotein in Prenatal Ontogenesis of the Human Eye.

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]