alpha-fetoprotein in rats treated with anti-thymocytic serum.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein was detected by immunodiffusion in rats treated with anti-thymocytic serum. Augmented synthesis of AFP is related to compensatory hyperplasia of liver cells secondary to a state of hypoproteinemia in the proteinuric nephritic animals. The nephritis was produced by the anti-basement membrane antibodies present in the thymocytic antiserum.