Lobo, Dominic Hansel; (1991) An autoradiographic study of the ontogeny of receptor binding sites in the central visual pathway of the rat. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

The developmental profile of somatostatin ( SS ), neuropeptide Y ( NPY ), cholecystokinin ( CCK ) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide ( VIP ) receptor binding sites has been examined in the central visual pathway of the rat, from late embryonic life through to adulthood, using in vitro receptor autoradiographic techniques. High levels of SS receptor binding sites which were detected in late embryonic life were considerably diminished at birth. SS receptor binding site levels increased from postnatal day 4 (P4 ) to the end of the third postnatal week; concentrations decreased slightly but still remained high and persisted throughout the rest of development. A caudo-rostral gradient seemed to exist in the developing cortex. Receptor binding sites for CCK were not present in the embryo or at birth but appeared in the first week of postnatal life. During the second postnatal week, the concentration of CCK receptor binding sites increased dramatically, continuing to rise until the end of the fourth postnatal week and was maintained in the adult. VIP receptor binding sites were present in the embryo and these low levels persisted in the first postnatal week. The density of binding sites gradually increased in the second week, reaching a peak at the end of third postnatal week. These concentrations of VIP receptor binding sites remained at this level in adult life. NPY receptor binding site densities were low in the perinatal period. These levels increased slightly in the first postnatal week and showed a peak at the the beginning of the second week. Thereafter, the density of NPY receptor binding sites remained constant and this trend continued into adulthood. The results are discussed in relation to other processes occurring during the development of the visual system.

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