Cellular immunolocalization of alpha-fetoprotein in rat liver.

Increased synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was induced in rat liver by the administration of 3'-methyl-4-dimethyl-aminoazobenzene. The indirect immunoperoxidase technique was used to detect AFP. Cellular localization of AFP was studied using a number of different fixation procedures. Serial sections stained with immunoglobulin served to determine the extent of diffusion of serum proteins into liver cells during fixation. Background staining was minimized when Lillie's neutral buffered formalin plus acetic acid was used as the fixative. After 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene ingestion, bile duct cell proliferation occurred. The serum AFP was positive in all rats after 17 days on the diet. In rats with AFP-positive sera the immunohistochemical reaction in mature hepatocytes was positive while bile duct cells and small hepatocytes were negative for AFP.