Elastin in the Avian Lungs

Elastic fibres play an important role in the pulmonary development process. The overall goal of this work was to quantify elastin in chicken lungs, using domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) as an experimental model, from the 14 th day of hatching until the 42 nd after hatchling. As analytical methodologies we used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a colorimetric method based on the use of a stain that has been only applied in histological techniques. The HPLC analysis was carried out in a reversed phase system with a binary gradient and detection by UV at 254 nm to quantify desmosine and isodesmosine, as the elastin cross links, in the studied samples. The colorimetric method was used by applying a commercial kit (“FastinTM Elastin Assay”) which quantifies soluble tropoelastin and insoluble elastin made soluble after treatment with hot water solution of oxalic acid. The results obtained by HPLC were statistically different if comparing the incubation period with the after-hatchling days (p < 0.001). The determinations by the colorimetric method provided results without statistical difference between both analyzed periods (p = 0.581). These facts are in agreement with the immaturity of elastin in the period of incubation, without the presence of cross-linkings. The scope, limitations, and choice between both methods have been discussed.