Rabbit Human alpha-1 foetoprotein, conjugated with FITC Antibody

Purified human alpha-foetoprotein is isolated from pooled amniotic fluid and hepatoma serum, using a proprietary multiple step method. Several foetoproteins have been demonstrated in human foetal serum and amniotic fluid. One of the best studied is the alpha-foetoprotein. It cab easily be identified immunochemically because of its distinct antigenicity. In electrophoresis its relative mobility is between the albumin and alpha-1 globulin fractions. Its molecular weight is 64,000, the carbohydrate content is relatively low. The concentration of alpha-foetoprotein gradually decreases during foetal growth. It is not found in normal adult serum, but reappears in most human developing hepatoma. In pooled foetal/newborn serum a concentration of 1 mg/ml has been measured. Freund’s complete adjuvant is used in the first step of the immunization procedure.

The lyophilized conjugate is shipped at ambient temperature and may be stored at +4°C; prolonged storage at or below -20°C. Prior to use, an aliquot is thawed slowly in the dark at ambient temperature, spun down again and used to prepare working dilutions by adding sterile phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.2) . Repeated thawing and freezing should be avoided. Working dilutions should be stored at +4°C, not refrozen, and preferably used the same day. If a slight precipitation occurs upon storage, this should be removed by centrifugation. It will not affect the performance of the immunoconjugate.