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Structural and histochemical features of the avian blood‐brain barrier
Author(s) -
Stewart P. A.,
Wiley M. J.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.902020203
Subject(s) - quail , biology , alkaline phosphatase , coturnix coturnix , coturnix , blood–brain barrier , endocrinology , acid phosphatase , medicine , embryo , anatomy , biochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , enzyme , central nervous system
Abstract We have investigated the structural and histochemical features of the blood‐brain barrier (b‐bb) in both adults and embryos of chicken ( Gallus domesticus , White Leghorn) and quail ( Corturnix coturnix japonica). We found that brain endothelial cells of both species are characterized structurally by tight junctions, a low density of pinocytotic vesicles, and a moderately elevated density of mitochondria. Both alkaline phosphatase and butyryl cholinesterase were found in adult quail brain capillaries, but only alkaline phosphatase was found in adult chick brain capillaries. Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase was not found in brain capillaries of either species. In the chick embryo alkaline phsophatase appeared during the time when b‐bb matures functionally; i.e., during the third week of development. However, an elevation in mitochondrial density was not apparent until after hatching. In the quail, alkaline phosphatase and butyrl cholinesterase appeared during the last week of embryonic development. By 2 days posthatching the structural characteristics of the brain capillaries were similar to those in the adult.