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Ontogeny of epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, and chromogranin A in the adrenal gland of pigs
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| Objective - To obtain data on the ontogeny of catecholamines and other chromaffin vesicle components, which could serve as a basis for the study of their role during fetal life in normal and pathologic conditions. Design - Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine-alpha-hydroxylase, and chromogranin A contents were measured in the porcine adrenal gland during various stages of gestation. Animals-934 porcine fetuses representing 23 gestational ages between 43 and 108 days. Procedure-Total homogenates of adrenal glands were extracted and contents of different neurochemical markers were measured, using high-performance liquid chromatography, immunoassays, and western blotting. Immunohistochemical studies also were performed. Results-Epinephrine and norepinephrine contents as a function of gestational age can be represented by a sigmoidal curve. Norepinephrine content rises early in gestation, whereas epinephrine content increases later. Maximal increase was significantly higher for epinephrine content, A progressive appearance of separate epinephrine- and norepinephrine-storing cells was documented. Dopamine-P-hydroxylase content as a function of gestational age can be adequately represented by a parabolic curve. No quantitative changes in chromogranin A concentration were observed, but western blotting revealed qualitative changes with progressing gestational age. Conclusions-Important changes occur in catecholamine formation around day 60 of gestation. The sharp increase in epinephrine/norepinephrine contents and the appearance of separate epinephrine- and norepinephrine-storing cells may be related to the progressive splanchnic innervation of the adrenal gland. The presence of chromogranin A early in gestation may indicate its necessity for catecholamine storage. | | |
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English
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American journal of veterinary research. - Chicago, Ill. | |
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Chicago, Ill. : 1996
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0002-9645
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57:7(1996), p. 1074-1079
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| ISI |
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A1996UV54600026
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