Evaluation of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
A simple, inexpensive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using commercially available supplies is described. An examination of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) values for 15 to 20 weeks' gestation is presented. The interassay coefficient of variation was 12% (N = 40) at a level of 4.75 micrograms/mL. Repeat freezing, thawing, and storage at 4C for three months had no discernible effect on measured AFP value. Data comparison with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) kit indicates similar reliability for both assays. There were no false-negative values (zero of 20). The false-positive rate for RIA was 4.4% (13 of 295) and for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was 5.0% (15 of 295).
Bogart
M H
MH
Winkelbauer
D
D
Jones
O W
OW
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000191:economics; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005615:Freezing; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013997:Time Factors; D014021:Tissue Preservation; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins