Taurine effect on neuritic outgrowth from goldfish retinal explants in the absence and presence of fetal calf serum.

ABSTRACT

Post-crush goldfish retinal explants were cultured in the absence of fetal calf serum and in the presence of calcium, albumin, glucose or taurine. There was an increase in length and density of the neurites in a dose-dependent manner when fetal calf serum was added to the medium. The addition of calcium to the basic medium, Leibovitz, produced a small increase in neuritic outgrowth at low concentrations, but inhibited outgrowth at higher levels. Albumin did not significantly modify neuritic outgrowth. Glucose, at variable concentrations, produced a bell-shaped increase in length and density of the neurites. Taurine, in the absence of fetal calf serum, produced a small increase in neuritic outgrowth at 10 mM. In the presence of glucose, taurine stimulated outgrowth was less efficient than in the presence of fetal calf serum. In order to investigate the mechanisms of action of taurine as a trophic agent, the culture medium in the absence of fetal calf serum will be supplemented with glucose.