Genesis and distribution of motilin in human fetus

摘要

AIMS This study is to investigate the rule of distribution and ontogeny of motilin (MTL) in fetus. METHODS MTL concentraions were determined systematically using radioimmunoassay(RIA) in the tissues of the central nervous system(CNS, 6 regions) and the digestive system (20 regions) of human fetus. RESULTS The results showed that MTL existed widely in these tissue but at different levels. Its concentrations in the digestive system tended to be higher than those in the CNS. They increased with the fetal age, especially in the digestive system. Though they were high in hypophysis(the earliest MTL generation region in the CNS), spinal cord and cerebellum, there was no significant difference between them. In the digestive system, MTL was detectable as early as in the 16th week in jejunum, duodenum, ileum, stomach, transverse colon, sigmoid colon and rectum, while in other regions it was not detectable until after the 23rd week. There was an adult distribution pattern by the 24th week. In all the digestive system tissue of different fetal ages, its highest concentration was found in jejunum, followed by duodenum and ileum, where it was positively correlated with the fetal age. The MTL concentration in ileum was about 6-7 times as that in the CNS. In addition. MTL of considerable concentration was detected in appendix for the first time. CONCLUSIONS The findings might help to reveal distribution and ontogeny of MTL in fetuses.