Synthesis of alpha fetoprotein by immature rat uterus

Reported free and bound molecular forms of alpha fetoprotein detected in immature uterine cytosol could be due to either selective uptake from the serum and/or intracellular synthesis by this tissue. In this study immature rat uterus synthesized initially immunounreactive bound alpha fetoprotein, which becomes immunoreactive after treatment with 0.4M KCl, but failed to synthesize free alpha fetoprotein. This indicates that bound alpha fetoprotein is not a conversion product of the free form, and suggests a relationship between alpha fetoprotein synthesis and uterine growth and development.