Currently, there are no reports of neurotrophins in adipose tissue of cows. The distribution of nerve growth factor
(NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and their high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors TrkA and TrkB,
was investigated by immunohistochemical method in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of cow at mid-lactation.
Results revealed the localization of NGF and BDNF along the plasma membrane and cytoplasm of adipocytes.
Neurotrophin receptors TrkA and TrkB showedmoderate and strong positive staining in adipocytes, respectively.
The expression of NGF, BDNF, TRKB — but not of TRKA — was also confirmed at transcriptional level by RT-PCR
analyses.
Considering the involvement of BDNF on fat metabolism and of NGF on activation of the sympathetic response in
human and rodents, these neurotrophins could be related to lipogenesis and lipolysis occurring during lactation in
cows. The local production of these neurotrophins supports their potential paracrine function for the regulation of
adipocyte activity and deserve further investigations.
