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Localisation of carcinoembryonic antigen in embryonic and fetal human tissues

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Summary

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was localized in various embryonic and fetal human tissues between 8 and 16 weeks of gestation as well as in the colorectal mucosa of older fetuses, newborns and adults. Among the embryonic tissues, CEA was always present in the esophagus, the gastric antrum, the duodenum and the rectum. CEA positive staining of bile cannaliculi of the liver was inconstant. All other embryonic tissues were CEA negative. During early fetal development CEA positive staining of the esophagus, antrum and duodenum was inconstant. However, the whole colon became intensively stained. An inconstant CEA specific staining was found in parts of the midgut and in the bile cannaliculi of the liver. The other organs remained CEA negative. Between the 17th week of gestation and birth, CEA staining pattern of the colorectal mucosa did not change. The staining intensity of late fetal colonic mucosa was similar to that of adult colonic mucosa.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Klinische Biochemie, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-5300, Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany

    C. Wagener & F. Hain

  2. Institut für Kinderpathologie, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, D-5300, Bonn 1, Federal Republic of Germany

    H.-J. Födisch

Authors
  1. C. Wagener
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  2. F. Hain
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  3. H.-J. Födisch
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  4. H. Breuer
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Deceased 20th August 1982

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Wagener, C., Hain, F., Födisch, HJ. et al. Localisation of carcinoembryonic antigen in embryonic and fetal human tissues. Histochemistry 78, 1–9 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00491105

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00491105

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