Age and sex-related difference in levels of nerve growth factor in organs of Balb/c mice.

Abstract

The presence of nerve growth factor (NGF) is reported in salivary glands of mice and sex organs of various male animals. NGF level is reported to be higher in salivary glands of male mice in comparison to female. This investigation reports the presence of NGF in major organs of Balb/c mice showing quantitative differences in NGF according to sex and age. Organs of Balb/c mice from ages 2 weeks to 9 months were tested for NGF content by immunological tests enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Male and female mice for each age group were from the same litter. It was revealed that NGF levels increased with age, reaching the peak at 4 weeks for male mice versus 3 months for female for similar organs. There were consistently lower levels of NGF in the organs of female mice in comparison to their male siblings. Most decreased levels of NGF were observed in organs of mice with respect to heart, salivary glands, and sex organs, ovaries versus testes. The presence of NGF was further revealed in non-neural organs. NGF based maturity was reached at 4 months for male mice versus 6 months for females.