Quantitative analysis of nerve growth factor in the amniotic fluid during chick embryonic development

Abstract

Nerve growth factor (NGF) and most neurotrophic factors support the proliferation and survival of particular types of neurons. Besidesthe pivotal role of NGF in the development of neuronal cells, it also has important functions on non-neuronal cells. The amnion surrounds the embryo, providing an aqueous environment for the embryo. A wide range of proteins has been identified in human amniotic fluid (AF). In this study, total protein concentration (TPC) and NGF level in AF samples from chick embryos were measured using a Bio-Rad protein assay, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. TPC increased from days E10 to day E18. There was a rapid increase in AF TPC on day E15 when compared to day E16. No significant changes in NGF levels have been seen from day E10 to day E14. There was a rapid increase in NGF content on days E15 and E16, and thereafter the levels decreased from day E16 to day E18. Since, NGF is important in brain development and changes in AF NGF levels have been seen in some CNS malformations, changes in the TPC and NGF levels in AF during chick embryonic development may be correlated with cerebral cortical development. It is also concluded that NGF is a constant component of the AF during chick embryogenesis.

Vertebrate Evolution Conserves Hindbrain Circuits despite Diverse Feeding and Breathing Modes

“…Therefore, bringing fluid into the mouth to be swallowed is likely the fundamental process common to all developing vertebrates. For example, it is known that fetal swallowing of amniotic fluid emerges right after major organogenesis around 10–14 weeks of gestation in human and is observed in early development of chicks, sheep, rodents, and monkeys ( Ross and Nijland, 1998 ; Delaney and Arvedson, 2008 ; Mashayekhi et al, 2011 ; Gross and Trapani-Hanasewych, 2017 ; Maynard et al, 2020 ). This process of transporting fluid into the body is repeatedly executed and requires coordinated activation of oropharyngeal muscles ( Sherman et al, 1990 ).…”

Therapeutic application of chick early amniotic fluid: effective rescue of acute myocardial ischemic injury by intravenous administration

“…Additionally, ceAF can be a source or supplement of cell culture medium (Larsen 1993 ; Wang et al 1997 ). Previous reports have shown that ceAF contains a variety of growth-related factors like nerve growth factor (NGF), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and IGF-II (tenBusch et al 1997 ; Karcher et al 2005a , 2005b ; Mashayekhi et al 2011 ; Pressman et al 2011 ).…”