TAURINE IN THE BRAIN AND LIVER OF THE DEVELOPING HUMAN AND MONKEY

Abstract

Abstract —The concentrations of taurine in brain and liver from human fetuses (2nd trimester) and adults and from Rhesus monkeys from mid‐gestation, through birth and neonatal life to maturity have been measured. The concentration of taurine in human and monkey fetal brain was 4‐5‐fold higher than that in adult monkey brain. In human fetal brain the concentration of taurine decreased linearly with increasing crown‐rump length ( r =−0·75; P < 0·001). In fetal monkey brain, no correlation with gestational age was found. After birth, the concentration of taurine in monkey brain decreased linearly with increasing age ( r =−0·96; P < 0·001) until values comparable to those found in the adult were reached 8‐9 months after birth, approximately the end of weaning. The concentration of taurine in liver both from fetal humans and from fetal monkeys was approximately twice that in mature liver. Concentrations of taurine similar to those found in adult liver were reached within a few days of birth, compared to several months for brain. These results suggest that taurine may be associated with brain development in addition to any functional role it may play in the mature brain.