Summary
The observation that the myelin sheaths of human optic fibers seem to form first at the distal end of the tract with a progress of myelination toward the eye was tested by assays of cholesterol and cholesterol esters in segments of human optic nerves and tracts at various phases of development. It was found that the distal to proximal progress of myelination relates mainly to the fact that adult human optic fibers contain in their distal portion about twice the amount of cholesterol that occurs in the proximal portion. This gradient in cholesterol content along the fibers develops gradually in children. If the progress of cholesterol deposition is expressed as a percentage of the adult values, the proximo-distal differences are small, suggesting that myelination develops only slightly faster at the distal end.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, B., and C. Davison: The occurrence of esterified cholesterol in the developing nervous system. J. Neurochem. 4, 282–289 (1959).
Bembridge, B. A.: The problem of myelination in the central nervous system, with special reference to the optic nerve. Trans. ophthal. Soc. U. K. 76, 311–322 (1956).
Clarenburg, R., I. L. Chaikoff, and M. D. Morris: Incorporation of injected cholesterol into the myelinating brain of the 17-day-old rabbit. J. Neurochem. 10, 135–143 (1963).
Cumings, J. N., H. Goodwin, E. M. Woodward, and G. Curzon: Lipids in the brains of infants and children. J. Neurochem. 2, 289–294 (1958).
Friede, R. L., and K. H. Hu: Increase in cholesterol along human optic nerve. J. Neurochem. 14, 307–316 (1967).
Haust, H. L., A. Kuksis, and J. M. R. Bearidge: Quantitative precipitation of various 3β-hydroxysterols with digitonin. Canad. J. Biochem. 44, 119 (1966).
Sattler, C. H.: Über die Markscheidenentwicklung im Tractus opticus, Chiasma und Nervus opticus. Albrecht v. Graefes Arch. Ophthal. 90, 271–298 (1915).
Searcy, R. L., and L. M. Bergquist: A new color reaction for the quantitation of serum cholesterol. Clin. chim. Acta 5, 192 (1960).
—, and R. C. Jung: Rapid ultramicro-estimation of serum total cholesterol. J. Lipid Res. 1, 349 (1960).
Tingey, A. H.: Human brain lipids of various ages in relation to myelination. J. ment. Sci. 102, 851–855 (1956).
Vahouny, G. V., C. R. Borja, R. M. Mayer, and C. R. Treadwell: A rapid quantitative determination of total and free cholesterol with anthrone reagent. Analyt. Biochem. 1, (1960).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This investigation was supported by Public Health Grant NB 6239 from the National Institute of Nervous Diseases and Blindness.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Friede, R.L., Hu, K.H. Proximo-distal differences in myelin development in human optic fibers. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 79, 259–264 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00369289
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00369289