The establishment of a programme of artificial insemination by donor semen within the National Health Service.

A human semen bank has been established in Nottingham for artificial insemination using donor semen (AID). Frozen semen has been used for all inseminations. The introduction and organization of such a programme within the National Health Service is described.

Elevated levels of maternal plasma alpha-fetoprotein after amniocentesis.

An elevation of maternal AFP levels was observed in 11 of 65 cases (17 per cent) after amniocentesis. It is suggested that blood samples in which AFP levels are to be measured should always be collected before and not after amniocentesis.