Acta Anatomica Sinica

AAS ›› 2013, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3 ): 308-312.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0529-1356.2013.03.003

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Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in post-embryonic development of cerebral cortex of the Chinese alligator

ZHENG Lan-rong 1,2  WU Xiao-bing 1*  WANG Ren-ping3  ZHOU Yong-kang3   

  1. 1. Key Laboratory for Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resource in Anhui Province, College of Life Sciences, 
    Anhui Wuhu 241000, China; 2. Department of Pathology,Wannan Medical College, Anhui Wuhu 241000, China; 3.Anhui Research Center for Chinese Alligator Reproduction, Anhui Xuancheng 242034,China
     
  • Received:2012-10-11 Revised:2012-12-09 Online:2013-06-06 Published:2013-07-16

Abstract:

Objective  To investigate sequential changes of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and neurotrophin-3(NT-3)
expressed in the post-embryonic development in cerebral cortex of Alligator sinensis. Methods Immunohisto chemistry technique
and Western blotting assay were used to detect the temporal expression concerning its variation at location and content of BDNF
and NT-3 in the cerebral cortex of the Chinese alligator by postembryonic age of 0 year(newly hatched), 1 year and 2 years.
Results Immunohistochemical test showed that BDNF-positive cells were seen at the 4 layers of cerebral cortex from the alligator
aged 0 and increased with ages. By 2 years, the cell body for BDNF-positive cells gradually expanded, with the increased nerve
processes that were mostly observed at the transition zone of the cell layer and the outer plexiform layer, which was consistent
with Western blotting findings. NT3-positive cells were also seen in cerebral cortex of the newly hatched alligator, concentrated
in the cell layer and the outer plexiform layer, and gradually increased by 1 year of age, with more intensive positive cells in
the outer plexiform layer. By 2 years, NT3-positive cells increased in the molecular layer at lateral zone, and similarly, cell
projections tended to increase with ages, which agreed with the results by Western blotting assay. Conclusion Both BDNF and NT-3
are involved in the post-embryonic development in cerebral cortex of Chinese alligator within 2 years of age.

Key words: Cerebral cortex, Postembryonic development, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor, Neurotrophin-3, Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, Chinese alligator