Regional specialization of ganglion cell layer of the chick retina.
Specialization of the ganglion cell layer (GCL) was studied by Nissl-staining and axonal tract-tracing methods in chicks and chick embryos. The changes in the retinal area and the cell number in the GCL produced a disparity in the cell density that occurred through the two different processes, cell generation (before embryonic days 10-14, E10-14) and cell loss (after E10-14). One high-density area was found in the retinal fundus on E8 (presumptive central area, pCA) and its density decreased toward the peripheral retina. Another high-density area was found in the dorsal retina on E11 (presumptive dorsal area, pDA). Cell densities of the pCA and the pDA on E11 decreased gradually to 25-30% by P1, and after that they further decreased to 40-60% by P30. The pCA was still identified on P30, but the pDA became very obscure by this age. In contrast, ganglion cell sizes increased 5-7 times in the pCA and pDA from E8 to P30, and increased 12 times in the temporal periphery. The present study suggests that the center-peripheral gradient of cell density results from lager scale of cell genesis in the pCA, but not from lager scale of cell loss in the peripheral retina. However, obscuration of the pDA results from equalization of cell density in cellular degeneration processes.
Chen
Y
Y
Division of Biofunctional Development, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Japan.
Naito
J
J
D000818:Animals; D048588:Benzoxazines; D002232:Carbocyanines / Q000737:chemistry; D002642:Chick Embryo / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002645:Chickens / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase / Q000737:chemistry; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D010078:Oxazines / Q000737:chemistry; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D048588:Benzoxazines; D002232:Carbocyanines; D004396:Coloring Agents; D010078:Oxazines; C028911:cresyl violet; C024286:3,3'-dioctadecylindocarbocyanine; D006735:Horseradish Peroxidase