[In vitro synthesis of alpha-fetoprotein by individual hepatocytes and microcolonies of human hepatocytes].

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) produced by individual hepatocytes and hepatocyte microcolonies was detected with microelectrophoresis-precipitation in polyacrylamide gel. Hepatic cells of 6--13-week-old human embryos were cultivated in vitro for 2 to 5 days. 23 of 28 individual cells, and 89 of 91 microcolonies, built up of 2--35 cells, were demonstrated to produce AFP within the range of 70--800 pg per cell.