Age-dependent changes in the total protein concentrations in the brain regions and hypophyses of the pig

Abstract

88 crossbred Large White male day-old piglets were used to investigate age-related changes in total protein concentrations in ten regions of the pig brain and hypophyses from birth to 36 months of age. Age-related changes in protein concentrations in all the brain regions except the pons and cerebral cortex were not significant (P>0.05). However, the linear and quadratic curves and coefficients revealed substantial increase in total protein content in all the brain regions from day-old to between 12 and 20 months, thereafter declining rapidly and, in certain regions, gradually to much lower levels. In the pons, a rise in total protein of 1,091% was observed from day-old to 12 months, declining thereafter by 88% to 36 months. In the cerebellum, values rose by 642% from day-old to 10 months progressively falling by 75% in subsequent months to 36 months. Similar trends were observed in the amygdala and hippocampus. In the hypothalamus, midbrain and medulla oblongata, total protein levels rose progressively by 212%, 229% and 316% respectively from day-old to 36 months with a few non-specific fluctuations in- between. Significant falls in total protein levels with advancing age were observed in the adenohypophysis (P