Topographic specializations of catecholaminergic cells and ganglion cells and distribution of calcium binding proteins in the crepuscular rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris) retina.

Abstract

The rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris) is a crepuscular Hystricomorpha rodent that has been used in comparative analysis of retinal targets, but its retinal organization remains to be investigated. In order to better characterize its visual system, the present study analyzed neurochemical features related to the topographic organization of catecholaminergic cells and ganglion cells, as well the distribution of calcium-binding proteins in the outer and inner retina. Retinal sections and/or wholemounts were processed using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), GABA, calbindin, parvalbumin and calretinin immunohistochemistry or Nissl staining. Two types of TH-immunoreactive (TH-IR) cells were found which differ in soma size, dendritic arborization, intensity of TH immunoreactivity and stratification pattern in the inner plexiform layer. The topographic distribution of all TH-IR cells defines a visual streak along the horizontal meridian in the superior retina. The ganglion cells are also distributed in a visual streak and the visual acuity estimated considering their peak density is 4.13 cycles/degree. A subset of TH-IR cells express GABA or calbindin. Calretinin is abundant in most of retinal layers and coexists with calbindin in horizontal cells. Parvalbumin is less abundant and expressed by presumed amacrine cells in the INL and some ganglion cells in the GCL. The topographic distribution of TH-IR cells and ganglion cells in the rock cavy retina indicate a suitable adaptation for using a broad extension of its inferior visual field in aspects that involve resolution, adjustment to ambient light intensity and movement detection without specialized eye movements.

• Authors: Francisco Gilberto Oliveira, Expedito Silva do Nascimento-Júnior, Judney Cley Cavalcante, Fausto Pierdoná Guzen, Jeferson de Souza Cavalcante, Joacil Germano Soares, José Rodolfo Lopes de Paiva Cavalcanti, Leandro Moura de Freitas, Miriam Stela Maris de Oliveira Costa, Belmira Lara da Silveira Andrade-da-Costa
• Journal: Journal of chemical neuroanatomy (J Chem Neuroanat) Vol. 90 Pg. 57-69 (07 2018) ISSN: 1873-6300 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 29277705 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Calcium-Binding Proteins
• Catecholamines

Topics

• Animals
• Calcium-Binding Proteins (metabolism)
• Catecholamines (metabolism)
• Female
• Male
• Retina (cytology, metabolism)
• Retinal Ganglion Cells (cytology, metabolism)
• Rodentia (anatomy & histology)