Production of Fetuin and Other Serum Proteins by Fetal Sheep Liver in vitro . ∗

Summary

A study was made of the incorporation of C¹⁴-labeled amino acid into various serum proteins by fetal lamb tissues in vitro. The fetal liver was quite active in production of fetuin during the first half of the gestation period, diminished in activity after this and barely showed any labeling of fetuin when taken during the last weeks before birth. Production of other serum proteins by the liver was at its peak around days 100-120, but also diminished towards the end of the gestation period. Lymphoid tissues did not synthesize fetuin.