Development of ornithine ketoacid aminotransferase in rabbit ocular tissues and liver.

Ornithine ketoacid aminotransferase in ocular tissues and liver was examined biochemically during the development of the rabbit. Developmental differences of specific enzyme activities were found between the ocular tissues and liver. The retina and choroid showed a relatively low activity after birth and an increased activity at 2.5 weeks, which remained high thereafter. The ciliary body and iris also showed a relatively low activity at birth and a rapid increase at 1 week, which remained so for about 14 weeks before a gradual decrease occurred. The enzyme in the liver exhibited a high activity at birth, which fell 1 week later. This was followed by a subsequent increase in enzyme activity that began at 7.5 weeks after birth. Enzyme activity peaked at 10 weeks, with a gradual diminution thereafter.