[Detection of meconial antigen (beta 1 MA) in definitive and tumorous intestinal tissue].

Antigen of human fetal bowels with a relative electrophoretic mobility matching that of beta 1-globulins was identified using organ-specific rabbit antisera. It was designated as beta 1- meconial antigen (beta 1-MA). beta 1MA is thermolabile, precipitated with chloric acid and phenol, and has a molecular weight of ca. 2 x 10(6) dalton . It was identified by immunodiffusion methods in tissues of definitive and fetal intestine, a third of specimens of fetal stomach, meconium, and all tumors of the large intestine studied. The antigen was not found either in tumors of other sites, or in definitive and fetal organs and tissues other than ones mentioned above.