Carnitine and derivatives in the central nervous system of chick embryo

Abstract 1. 1. Carnitine contents and the activity of carnitine acetyltransferase in the egg, in the embryo, and in different brain areas of central nervous system in chick embryo were determined in the course of development. 2. 2. The egg showed low levels of free carnitine and acetylcarnitine. 3. 3. In the whole embryo, at first stages of development, long chain acylcarnitines and acetylcarnitine were the best represented classes of carnitines. 4. 4. In the brain regions acetylcarnitine levels, high at the first days, showed a continual decrease during development. 5. 5. The activity of carrietine acetyltransferase increased and was totally related to development.