Ontogenesis of histamine in the chick nervous system.

Tissues from the central and peripheral nervous systems of the chick were analyzed for concentration of histamine (Hm) during development. Of the three CNS organs examined, cerebral hemispheres had the highest Hm content. Expressed on the bases of wet weight, protein, and DNA concentrations, sciatic nerve and the pineal gland had the highest levels of this biogenic amine of the five tissues investigated. The concentration of Hm was higher in the cerebellum, cerebral hemispheres, and thalamus of adult animals than in the 15 to 17-day-old embryos. The level of Hm rose markedly in the sciatic nerve and pineal gland after the 15th day of embryonic development. These data might indicate a possible involvement of Hm in controlling the course of maturation of certain organs in the nervous system.