The morphological characterization and distribution of displaced ganglion cells in the anuran retina.
The number, dendritic morphology, and retinal distribution of displaced ganglion cells were studied in two anuran species, Xenopus laevis and Bufo marinus. Horseradish peroxidase or cobaltic lysine complex was applied to the cut end of the optic nerve, and the size, shape, and retinal position of retrogradely filled ganglion cells displaced into the inner nuclear layer were determined in retinal wholemount and sectioned material. Approximately 1% of ganglion cells in Xenopus and 0.1% in Bufo were found to be displaced. In both species, many of the previously described orthotopic ganglion cell types (Straznicky & Straznicky, 1988; Straznicky et al., 1990) were present among displaced ganglion cells. In Xenopus more displaced ganglion cells were found in the retinal periphery than in the retinal center, and they formed 3 or 4 distinct bands around the optic nerve head. In Bufo the incidence of displaced ganglion cells was higher along the visual streak than in the dorsal and ventral peripheral retina. These results indicate that the distribution of displaced ganglion cells approximates the retinal distribution of orthotopic ganglion cells. One of the likely mechanisms to account for this developmental paradox may be that the formation of the inner plexiform layer, adjacent to the ciliary margin, acts as a mechanical barrier by preventing the entry of some of the late developing ganglion cells into the ganglion cell layer.
Tóth
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Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medicine, Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park.
Straznicky
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C
D000818:Animals; D002024:Bufo marinus; D002452:Cell Count; D002465:Cell Movement; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D008239:Lysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000166:cytology; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
C051459:cobaltic lysine; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase; D008239:Lysine