Retinal degeneration in the delayed amelanotic (DAM) chicken: an electroretinographic study.
The retinal function of the delayed amelanotic (DAM) chicken that has progressive retinal degeneration, was investigated electroretinographically (ERG). Subjects showing a gradation of abnormalities of retinal morphology and impairment of visual behaviors were tested. Dark-adapted a-, b-, and c-wave responses to full-field stimuli were studied. In general, the more severe the anatomical abnormalities, the greater the compromise of sensitivity and amplitude of ERG responses. The DAM diseases appears to affect c-waves more than a-waves, and a-waves more than b-waves. Dark-adapted responses are affected more than light-adapted responses. In DAM's with moderately to severely impaired visual behaviors, ERG studies should permit analysis of the distal retinal pathophysiology caused by this disease.
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D003623:Dark Adaptation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*