Neurotransmitter properties of the newborn human retina.
Human retinal tissue from a newborn was examined autoradiographically for the presence of high-affinity uptake and localization of the following putative neurotransmitters: dopamine, glycine, GABA, aspartate, and glutamate. In addition, the dopamine content of this newborn retina was measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. Our study reveals that specific uptake mechanisms for 3H-glycine, 3H-dopamine, and 3H-GABA are present at birth. However, the number and distribution of cells labeled with each of these 3H-transmitters are not identical to those observed in adult human retinas. Furthermore, the amount of endogenous dopamine in the newborn retina is approximately 1/20 the adult level. Photoreceptor-specific uptake of 3H-glutamate and 3H-aspartate are not observed. These findings indicate that, while some neurotransmitter-specific properties are present at birth, significant maturation of neurotransmitter systems occurs postnatally.
D001224:Aspartic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001345:Autoradiography; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005971:Glutamates / Q000378:metabolism; D005998:Glycine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D014316:Tritium; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
D005971:Glutamates; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D014316:Tritium; D001224:Aspartic Acid; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D005998:Glycine; D004298:Dopamine