Temporal Profile of Nerve Growth Factor Expression in the Partial Central Nervous System of the Yangtze Alligator Alligator sinensis (Reptilia,Crocodylia) During Early Postnatal Growth

Expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in structures of the partial central nervous system of the Yangtze alligator, Alligator sinensis (Reptilia, Crocodylia) was examined during early postnatal growth using immunohistochemistry and Western blot assays. In animals 0–2 years of age NGF‐positive cells in the cerebral cortex increased gradually in number and size, and were predominantly distributed in the molecular layer. NGF‐positive cells in the midbrain showed similar increases but with predominant distribution in the ependymal layer. NGF‐positive cells increased in the cerebellum between 0 and 1 years of age, with increased NGF expression being seen during the first 2 years of life mostly in the ependymal layer. NGF‐positive cells were mainly found in the gray matter of the spinal cord with decreasing cell numbers, NGF expression levels being seen from 0 to 2 years and small processes without synaptic connection from 1 to 2 years. These results suggest that NGF is involved in the early postnatal growth of several structures of Yangtze alligator partial central nervous system, suggesting a possible role of NGF in the Yangtze alligator partial central nervous system. Anat Rec, 296:840–845, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.