LEVEL OF NERVE GROWTH FACTOR-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE LOWER-LIMB MUSCLES OF MUSCULAR DYSTROPHIC MICE

The level of nerve growth factor-like immunoreactivity in the lower limb muscles, the site where the dystrophic mice are effected, of both normal and dystrophic mice was studied by solid-phase radioimmunoassay. Nerve growth factor-like immunoreactivity levels of the homozygous dystrophic mice were about 2 .times. lower than those of the heterozygous dystrophic mice at 10-11 wk and 7-8 wk of age. The levels in 4-5 wk old homozygous mice were too low for detection and remarkable differences between the homozygous and the heterozygous mice were observed at this age. These differences in the level of nerve growth factor-like immunoreactivity suggest that the factor may have some relation to the disease.