EVIDENCE FOR BOTH LOCAL AND CENTRAL REGULATION OF RAT ROD OUTER SEGMENT DISK SHEDDING

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 19  (11) , 1268-1273
Abstract
Rats entrained to a 0700 h:1900 h lighting cycle had 1 eye patched and then were placed in constant light or in a 0200 h:1400 h lighting cycle. In both cases the patched eyes maintained the original pattern of rod outer segment (ROS) disc shedding. The open eyes responded to the ambient lighting conditions. When the optic nerves were severed at the optic chiasm, the shedding rhythm persisted, but it was no longer possible to shift the rhythm to a new lighting cycle. ROS disc shedding apparently is regulated by local oscillators within the orbit and by central elements.