EARLY APPEARANCE OF DISK SHEDDING IN THE RAT RETINA

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 18  (9) , 913-917
Abstract
Postnatal development of the processes of rod outer segment shedding and phagocytosis was examined in 10- to 50-day-old rats. The number of phagosomes increased gradually from a minimal level in the 2nd postnatal wk to that of the adult at 4 wk after birth. No differences were observed in animals raised under 2 different light intensities, i.e., relatively bright (45-50 ft-c) and very dim (0.3-0.5 ft-c). A definite circadian rhythm was observed 1st in 15-day-old animals, indicating that this is an important internal control mechanism that is synchronized with eye opening and the initiation of visual function.