Abstract
Summary
(1) The DPN content and choline dehydrogenase activity were low in livers of young rats and increased with the age of the animal. (2) The DPN content approached the adult level when the animals were 9 weeks of age. (3) Choline dehydrogenase activity reached 85% of the adult level by the time the animals were 13 weeks old. (4) The betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase activity in livers of newborn rats was 90% of that found in adult animals. (5) It appears that the low rate of oxidation of choline encountered in young rats may be due to a lack of choline apodehydrogenase. (6) The low level of DPN found in the livers of young rats may also be a limiting factor in the in vivo oxidation of choline to betaine.
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