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Ultrastructure of the avian retina an anatomical study of the retina of the domestic pigeon (Columba liva) with particular reference to the distribution of mitochondria

1972; Elsevier BV; Volume: 14; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0014-4835(72)90002-4

1096-0007

Joseph Hughes, D. W. Jerrome, H. A. Krebs,

Glaucoma and retinal disorders

Ultrastructural, histochemical, and combined histochemical/ultrastructural studies have been made on the retina of the domestic pigeon (Columba liva). The distributions of mitochondria and of the enzyme succinic dehydrogenase in the retina have been studied. No blood vessels were observed within any of the layers of the retina. Mitochondria were found in the receptor cell layer (rods and cones) where they were numerous only in the region of the ellipsoids, a stratum which formed only 2% of the retinal thickness. Mitochondria were not found in the inner layers of the retina. Succinic dehydrogenase activity was only demonstrated in the receptor cell layer. The biochemistry of the retina and the possible implications of the findings in the understanding of the visual acuity of birds are discussed.