Developmental expression of bFGF in the bovine retina.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of bFGF in the developing bovine retina.


METHODS
Fetal bovine eyes at 90, 120, 150, and 180 days gestational age, as well as adult bovine eyes, were immunohistochemically stained for the presence of bFGF. Detailed characterization of the anti-bFGF antibodies by immunoblot and Western blot analysis against pure FGF gene family standards and crude extracts of bovine retina were also performed.


RESULTS
Expression of bFGF occurs beginning at 150 days of gestation, a period when photoreceptor development and secondary capillary network development is in process. No bFGF expression was found at 90 days, but primary capillaries were already apparent at this stage of development.


CONCLUSIONS
Expression of bFGF in the developing bovine retina may play a functional role in outer retinal development.
Ishigooka
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616-8635.
Kitaoka
T
T
Boutilier
S B
SB
Bost
L M
LM
Aotaki-Keen
A E
AE
Tablin
F
F
Hjelmeland
L M
LM
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002417:Cattle; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D012160:Retina / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2