The developmental increase in taurine concentration is accompanied by a
coordinated increase in the activity of the high-affinity taurine transporter
(Salceda 1980) and CSAD activity (Pasantes-Morales et al. 1976). In rats, the
increase in CSAD activity parallels the increase in both taurine transport and
maximal taurine concentration. In rats, the increase in transporter activity is
linear, with a maximal uptake occurring at post-natal day 30. There is a linear
increase of taurine levels that peaks around day 30, coinciding with the
maximal activity of the high-affinity taurine transporter (Salceda 1980; Lake
Taurine and the retina 225
1994). As a result, taurine concentration is significantly lower in the
embryonic retina than in the adult (Lake 1994).