Choroid plexus, brain and kidney Na+, K+-ATPase: Comparative activities in fetal, newborn and young adult rabbits

Abstract

We have studied maturation of brain barrier systems in fetal, newborn, juvenile and adult rabbits. We have compared choroid plexus and brain Na+,K+-ATPase levels in each age group, as well as serum and CSF Na+ concentration as a measure of the ability of the choroid plexus to generate a gradient from blood to CSF. The choroid plexus appears functionally mature at all ages studied, both in ability to produce a Na+ gradient and in ATPase levels. In contrast, brain ATPase levels rose markedly with age. Kidney ATPase measured for comparison showed a pattern similar to brain.