Distribution and gene expression of neuropeptides during brain development.

Abstract

Neuropeptides and catecholamines are biologically active substances which play the roles of neurotransmitters, neuromodulators and cotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). These substances are known to regulate and influence a wide spectrum of functions; such as food and water intake, thermoregulation, growth and maturation, sexual behaviour, reproduction, function of the hypothalamic-hypophysial-organ axes, and many others. This large family of neuropeptides is comprised of around 40 fundamental polypeptides, which does not include their derivatives and related peptides. Localization and development of several of them was intensively studied in the brain of a wide range of species, including the rat and the pig. In this present paper, data regarding distribution of catecholamine synthesising enzymes and some neuropeptides, as well as their gene expression during development in the rodent and porcine brain are summarised and related to development of LHRH-containing structures.