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Retinal alterations induced by continuous light in immature rats

I. Fine structure and electroretinography

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Summary

Immature albino rats were exposed to continuous illumination for 5–93 days and the light induced ultrastructural and electroretinographic changes were studied. Another group was exposed to continuous light for 7–9 days and then kept in complete darkness, or in cyclic light-dark up to 90 days.

By comparison with the results obtained in adult animals, lesions appeared faster in the immature group. Tubular transformation of rods, phagocytosis of altered outer and inner segments with resulting changes in retinal organization, synaptic degeneration in the outer plexiform layer, and cell lysis of some photoreceptor cell perikarya are described.

ERG recovery, following the period of darkness or cyclic light-dark, was only partial, the amplitude of the “b” wave reached only 50–60% of the control preillumination values. However, the fine structure of the recovered outer segments was similar to that found in normal retinae.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Jorge Pecci Saavedra & Amanda Pellegrino de Iraldi

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  1. Jorge Pecci Saavedra
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  2. Amanda Pellegrino de Iraldi
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Additional information

Supported by grants from National Institutes of Health (5 ROI NS 06953-09 NEUA) USA, Fight for Sight Inc., N.Y., USA, the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the Universidad de Buenos Aires.

The authors are indebted to Prof. E. De Robertis for a critical reading of the manuscript. The superior technical assistance of Mr. Luis Zimmermann in the preparation of the light stimulator is acknowledged. The technical aid received from Mrs. E.J. de Banchieri is greatly appreciated.

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Pecci Saavedra, J., Pellegrino de Iraldi, A. Retinal alterations induced by continuous light in immature rats. Cell Tissue Res. 166, 201–211 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227041

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00227041

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