| Description |
In the teleost retina, studies from isolated cells have revealed a great deal about the morphology and electrophysiological properties of individual neurons making up the retina. To address the functional role of the individual neurons in the retina, a slice of the fish retina has been developed. The retinal slice allows for analysis of neurons with synaptic connections intact. In this study I have cultured vertebrate retinal slices taken from white bass (Roccus chrysops) and maintained them for a period of one week. To determine if the neurons in the tissue slice maintained in culture are representative of neurons found in a freshly sliced retina, I have used immunocytochemical techniques to label five neurotransmitters present in one day and one week old cultured retinal slices. Neurotransmitters are the substances used by nerve cells to communicate with one another. In retinal neurons, the presence of these neurotransmitters should remain constant if functional viability of the slice is maintained over an extended period of time. However, in this study I have found that after a week in culture the slices demonstrated a significant amount of cellular degeneration and a simultaneous decrease in the strength of immunolabeling. This suggests that overall the integrity of the cells have decreased while in culture and suggests that further work is needed for electrophysiological studies addressing physiological significance. |
