Developmental expression of bFGF in the bovine retina.

PURPOSE To examine the expression of bFGF in the developing bovine retina. METHODS Fetal bovine eyes at 90, 120, 150, and 180 days gestational age, as well as adult bovine eyes, were immunohistochemically stained for the presence of bFGF. Detailed characterization of the anti-bFGF antibodies by immunoblot and Western blot analysis against pure FGF gene family standards and crude extracts of bovine retina were also performed. RESULTS Expression of bFGF occurs beginning at 150 days of gestation, a period when photoreceptor development and secondary capillary network development is in process. No bFGF expression was found at 90 days, but primary capillaries were already apparent at this stage of development. CONCLUSIONS Expression of bFGF in the developing bovine retina may play a functional role in outer retinal development.