Serial Maternal Serum α 1 ‐Fetoprotein Concentration During Induced Abortions

Serial maternal serum α 1 ‐fetoprotein (AFP) quantitations were carried out in legal induced first and second trimester abortions by both a double antibody radioimmunoassay (RIA) and by a simple radioimmunoelectrophoretical (RIEP) technique. in seven cases of first trimester abortions carried out by suction curettage a marked immediate increase in maternal AFP was found in four cases. No change was observed in the remaining three. in six cases of legal second trimester abortions induced by instillation of 20 per cent sodium chloride solution a marked increase in maternal serum AFP was found in all cases. the increased AFP concentration found in induced second trimester abortions took place before death of the fetus and reached a maximum value a few hours after delivery of the fetus. As expected a rapid fall in the serum concentration of HPL and progesterone is seen when suction curettage is used. However, by instillation of a 20 per cent sodium chloride solution only a slight initial decrease is found for both HPL and progesterone.