Evidence for self-absorption of terminals by developing axons of retinal ganglion cells in the chick.
The appearance of membrane-bound degenerative organelles in chick optic nerve axons was studied at the electron microscopic level. A semiquantitative analysis revealed a sharp increase in the number of axons containing accumulations of such organelles during the second day after hatching. In dark-reared chicks this increase was retarded, suggesting the presence of a light-influenced event in the early post-hatch period.
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002452:Cell Count; D002645:Chickens; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009940:Organoids / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012160:Retina / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*