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Electron microscopic analysis of the rod pathway of the rat retina
Author(s) -
Chun MyungHoon,
Han SeungHo,
Chung JinWoong,
Wässle Heinz
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of comparative neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.855
H-Index - 209
eISSN - 1096-9861
pISSN - 0021-9967
DOI - 10.1002/cne.903320404
Subject(s) - biology , retina , neuroscience , anatomy
Two immunocytochemical markers were used to label the rod pathway of the rat retina. Rod bipolar cells were stained with antibodies against protein kinase C and AII‐amacrine cells with antibodies against parvalbumin. The synaptic circuitry of rod bipolars in the inner plexiform layer (IPL) was studied. Rod bipolar cells make approximately 15 ribbon synapses (dyads) in the IPL. Both postsynaptic members of the dyads are amacrine cells; one is usually the process of an AII‐amacrine cell and the other one frequently provides a reciprocal synapse. No direct output from rod bipolar cells into ganglion cells was found. AII‐amacrine cells make chemical output synapses with cone bipolar cells and ganglion cells in sublamina a of the IPL. They make gap junctions with cone bipolar cells and other AII‐amacrine cells in sublamina b of the IPL. The rod pathway of the rat retina is practically identical to that of the cat and of the rabbit retina. It is very likely that this circuitry is a general feature of mammalian retinal organization. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.