AFP ELISA kit can be used for the quantitative determination of Alpha-Fetoprotein in human serum. AFP ELISA kitis a solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the sandwich principle. The microtiter wells of the AFP ELISA kitare coated with a monoclonal antibody directed towards a unique antigenic site on a AFP molecule. An aliquot of patient sample containing endogenous AFP is incubated in the coated well with enzyme conjugate, which is an anti-AFP antiserum conjugated with horseradish peroxidase. After incubation the unbound conjugate is washed off with water. The amount of bound peroxidase is proportional to the concentration of AFP in the sample. Having added the substrate solution, the intensity of colour developed is proportional to the concentration of AFP in the patient sample.
AFP ELISA kitcan be stored at 2° to 8°C unopened reagents will retain reactivity until expiration date. Do not use reagents beyond this date. The immuno-reactivity of the coated microtiter wells is stable for approx. 6 weeks in the broken, but tightly closed bag containing the dessicant. The reconstituted standards which are supplied with the AFP ELISA kitare stable for 2 months at 2-8°C. For longer storage freeze at -20°C.
The minimum detectable concentration of AFP by this AFP ELISA kit is estimated to be 1.0 IU/ml. No hook effect was observed in this AFP ELISA kitup to 1000 IU/ml of AFP.
Good laboratory practice requires that controls are run with each calibration curve. A statistically significant number of controls should be assayed to establish mean values and acceptable ranges to assure proper performance. Controls containing azide should not be used. Reliable and reproducible results will be obtained when the assay procedure is carried out with a complete understanding of the package insert instructions and with adherence to good laboratory practice. The wash procedure is critical. Insufficient washing will result in poor precision and falsely elevated absorbances.
Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 70 KD. AFP is normally produced during fetal and neonatal development by the liver, yolk sac, and in small concentrations by the gastrointestinal tract. After birth, serum AFP concentrations decrease rapidly, and by the second year of life and thereafter only trace amounts are normally detected in serum. Elevation of serum AFP to abnormally high values occurs in several malignant diseases, most notably nonseminomatous testicular cancer and primary hepatocelluar carcinoma. In the case of nonseminomatous testicular cancer, a direct relationship has been observed between the incidence of elevated AFP levels and the stage of disease. Therefore, AFP measurements are not recommended for use as a screening procedure to detect the presence of cancer in the general population.
Download Product Data Sheet