[Physiological role of alpha-fetoprotein. Effect of the injection of purified AFP on the ovarian activity of the adult female rat].

Alpha-fetoprotein injected in normal adult female Rats produced a decrease in ovarian activity. The histological study of the ovaries showed that the number of maturing follicles as well as the number of corpora lutea were lowered in AFP-treated Rats, but not in albumin-treated control animals. The serum level of progesterone was also largely decreased by AFP injections. A possible role of AFP in the regulation of the ovarian activity during pregnancy and post natal sexual development is proposed.