Differential Concentration of Porphyrin in Various Divisions of the Central Nervous System.

SummaryThe central nervous systems of pigs were collected and divided into the various gross anatomical subdivisions. Equal weights of cerebrum, midbrain, medulla oblongata, cerebellum, and spinal cord were extracted for coproporphyrin. A higher concentration of coproporphyrin III was found in the medulla oblongata and brain stem than in cerebrum, cerebellum, or spinal cord. The observed differential coproporphyrin III concentration in various subdivisions of the central nervous system supports the hypothesis that porphyrins in the nervous system may have functional significance.