Development of NMDA R1 expression in chicken auditory brainstem

NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) expression in the chicken cochlear nuclei was examined using immunohistochemistry and quantitative Western blots. An antibody raised in mouse against a highly conserved domain of NR1 recognized the same 115 kDa protein band in chicken brain. Quantitative Western blotting of cochlear nucleus protein showed no significant change in NR1 expression from E18 to adult. The nucleus angularis (NA) initiated NR1 expression before E12 that became more prominent after hatching. NR1-ir first appeared in the nucleus magnocellularis (NM) and nucleus laminaris (NL) at E10. From E12 to E19, NM exhibited a gradient in NR1 expression with medial, higher best frequency cell bodies being more immunoreactive than lateral, lower best frequency cell bodies. This gradient disappeared by E20. The distribution of NR1 in NL also changed during development. NR1 label was present in NL cell bodies between E10 and E13. From E14 onwards, NR1-ir characterized both cell bodies and neuropil. After hatching, NR1-ir levels were higher in NL than NM. The superior olive first expressed NR1 at E12. Neuropil staining was more intense than cell bodies until after hatching. In contrast to the functional decrease observed in mammals and chick, NR1-ir expression remained high in the chicken auditory brainstem into adulthood. Both chickens and rodents retain high levels of NR-1.