Nucleic Acid Synthesis in Various Organs of Developing Human Fetuses

Abstract

ExtractIn order to establish the mode of differentiation in various developing organs, the patterns of nucleic acid synthesis were studied in 14 human fetuses. The gestational age ranged from 8-15 weeks. Incorporation of radioactive precursors into DNA and RNA of cells in liver, kidney, heart, skin, spleen, lung, and brain were measured by autoradiography. Unique patterns of nucleic acid synthesis were observed in each of seven organs studied. The curves of DNA and RNA synthesis were "mirror images" of each other, which indicated organ-specific periodicity of nucleic acid synthesis. Speculation

Association of Fetal Growth with Maternal Nutrition

“…There is little information concerning nucleic acid synthesis by the human fetus. DNA and RNA synthesis by human organs between 7 and 14 weeks of gestation were studied using incorporation of [3H]thymidine and [3H]uridine, respectively, by MukheIjee et al (1973). Unique patterns of nucleic acid synthesis were observed in each of the seven organs studied (liver , kidney, heart, skin, spleen, lung, and brain).…”

Human Epidermal Embryogenesis

“…11 Accordingly, the uptake of 3 H-uridine is high at early stages of development but declines continuously as gestation progresses. 12…”

Human Growth

“…Nucleic acid synthesis in human fetal tissues (8-15 weeks gestation) has been studied by autoradiography in explants of various human fetal tissues using pH]uridine as a RNA precursor and pH]thymidine as a DNA precursor (Mukherjee et al, 1973). Unique curves for DNA and RNA synthesis so derived were found for each organ studied.…”