Dopaminergic behaviour in chicken retina and the effect of form deprivation.
OBJECTIVE
Dopamine (DA) is considered to be a neurotransmitter involved in light-adaptive responses in the retina and has been implicated in the control of the eye growth induced by form deprivation. Vitreal DOPAC was shown to be a good indicator of retinal dopaminergic activity.


RESULTS
Dopaminergic activity was highest during the light; with vitreal DOPAC levels rising within 3 h of light exposure. Form deprivation attenuated dopaminergic activity, as the rise in vitreal DOPAC levels on light exposure was reduced in form-deprived eyes, compared with control eyes.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of sustained activation of DA release may explain the role of DA in the control of eye-growth.
Megaw
P L
PL
Centre for Research on Ageing and Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. respm@redgum.bendigo.latrobe.edu.au
Morgan
I G
IG
Boelen
M K
MK
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D000221:Adaptation, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D012683:Sensory Deprivation / Q000502:physiology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism
D015102:3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine