Strain differences in the ratio of synaptic body types in photoreceptors of the rat retina.
In the retinal outer plexiform layer of seven different rat strains, synaptic bodies (SB) were counted and, according to their morphology, characterized as synaptic ribbons (SR), synaptic spheres (SS) or intermediate structures. It was found that absolute SB numbers showed relatively small variations while SR/SS ratios differed considerably between the strains investigated. These results are discussed with respect to retinal pigmentation and to formation and degradation, respectively, of synaptic ribbons.
Hermes
B
B
Department of Anatomy, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
Reuss
S
S
Vollrath
L
L
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010858:Pigmentation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013045:Species Specificity; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000648:ultrastructure*