Loss of Y-cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of monocularly deprived tree shrews.

In tree shrews (Tupaia glis) reared with one eye closed, Y-cells were almost entirely absent in the binocular segment of the lateral geniculate laminae receiving input from the deprived eye. Y-cells were found in the monocular segment of these laminae, and in the binocular segment of the laminae with input from the normal eye. X-cells were present in both the deprived and normal laminae and appeared unaffected by the deprivation. A number of abnormal cells were also found, and these were located primarily in the binocular segment where Y-cells were absent.

Topographic organization of the orientation column system in the striate cortex of the tree shrew (Tupaia glis). I. Microelectrode recording.

Microelectrode recordings were made in the binocular portion of the tree shrew striate cortex to determine how orientation selective cells are distributed topographically in area 17 of this species. Seventy-five percent of the cells sampled were activated well by elongated visual stimuli and were quite selective for stimulus orientation. Ninety-five percent of the orientation-selective cells had orientation tuning ranges (Wilson and Sherman, '76) between +/- 5 degrees and +/- 40 degrees from their optimal orientation. Orientation-selective cells with the same or similar optimal orientations were distributed in cortex in a columnar manner (Hubel and Wiesel, '62), as determined from electrode penetrations nearly normal to the cortical surface. Penetrations parallel to the cortical surface revealed a highly ordered representation of optimal stimulus orientation, generally characterized by sequential changes in optimal orientation with electrode movement across the striate cortex. In addition, relatively consistent differences were observed in the rates and patterns of orientation shift on these penetrations depending on the direction of electrode movement across the cortex. Penetrations parallel to the 17--18 border yielded moderate-to-high rates of orientation change (mean slope = 434 degrees/mm), with the changes generally progressing through a complete clockwise or counterclockwise cycle of 180 degrees or more before a major reversal in the direction of orientation shift was encountered. In contrast, penetrations perpendicular to the border yielded low-to-moderate slopes (mean slope = 239 degrees/mm). On these penetrations a more limited range of optimal orientations (< 180 degrees) was usually encountered, due to frequent reversals in the direction of orientation shift. Also, extended regions (100--200) micrometers long) of constant optimal orientation were observed in these penetrations. The different patterns of orientation change found on these orthogonal penetrations across the striate cortex indicate that the orientation column system in this species is anisotropically organized with respect to the 17--18 border. Further, the regions of constant optimal orientation frequently encountered on penetrations perpendicular to the 17--18 border suggest that the anisotropy is subserved by a system of elongated zones of iso-orientation arranged approximately perpendicular to the 17--18 border.

Laminar organization of receptive field properties in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the tree shrew (Tupaiaglis belangeri).

A laminar analysis of the receptive field properties of relay cells in the binocular region of the tree shrew dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) found three main subdivisions. Lamina 1 (receiving ipsilateral eye input) and lamina 2 (contralateral) comprise a pair of layers that contain only ON-center neurons. Laminae 4 (contralateral) and 5 (ipsilateral) comprise a pair of layers with mostly OFF-center cells (86%). Laminae 3 and 6 (both contralaterally innervated) also form a distinct pair, although lamina 3 contains a mixture of cells with ON-centers (43%) or OFF-centers (57%), and lamina 6 contains mostly cells with ON-OFF centers and suppressive surrounds (81%). Cells located in the interlaminar zones resembled neurons in laminae 3 and 6. In comparison with the cells in the OFF-center laminae 4 and 5, the ON-center cells in laminae 1 and 2 had smaller, more elliptical receptive field centers with stronger responses to flashed visual stimuli. In addition, cells in the ipsilateral eye laminae 1 and 5 showed a greater change in center diameter, with eccentricity from the area centralis, than cells in the contralateral eye laminae 2 and 4. Principal components analysis using six receptive field properties (latency to optic chiasm stimulation, receptive field center diameter, maintained discharge rate, response onset latency, peak spike density, and phasic-tonic index) suggested that the cells in laminae 3 and 6 and the interlaminar zones are W-like. Principal components analysis of the same receptive field properties in laminae 1, 2, 4, and 5 did not reveal differences clearly related to X-like (parvocellular) and Y-like (magnocellular) categories. Ninety-seven percent of the cells tested for linearity of spatial summation in laminae 1, 2, 4, and 5 were linear. We conclude that the dominant organizational features of the tree shrew LGN are the ON-center, OFF-center, and W pairs of layers that project to different regions within the striate cortex.

Histochemical localization of cytochrome oxidase activity in the visual system of the tree shrew:normal patterns and the effect of retinal impulse blockage.

The tree shrew Tupaia belangeri has three functional pathways (ON-center, OFF-center, and W-like cells) that arise in the retina and proceed through separate LGN laminae to separate cortical targets. To determine whether these pathways have consistent differences in activity, cytochrome oxidase (C.O.) patterns were examined in the retina, LGN, and striate cortex. In six normal tree shrews the outer and inner plexiform layers of the retina were highly reactive for C.O. A pale, vascularized cleft zone separated the a (OFF) and b (ON) inner plexiform sublaminae, which seemed about equally reactive for C.O. In the LGN, laminae 1 and 2 (ON-center cells) and laminae 4 and 5 (mostly OFF-center cells) were highly reactive for C.O. LGN lamina 3 and 6 are part of an W-like afferent pathway. Lamina 3 was distinctly paler than laminae 1, 2, 4, and 5 while lamina 6 was intermediate. In the striate cortex, layer IV was the most reactive layer. Sublayer IVb (predominantly an OFF region) was consistently more reactive than sublayer IVa (predominantly ON). The middle portion, layer IVm, was paler than either IVa or IVb. This paler region includes, but extends above and below, the cell-sparse "cleft" region. Thus, considering all three levels of the retinogeniculostriate pathway, the ON and OFF systems were equally active until they reached the striate cortex, where the OFF system appeared to be more active than the ON. The W-cell laminae in the LGN exhibited the lowest level of activity. The contribution of ganglion cell activity to these patterns was assessed by intravitreal administration of tetrodotoxin (TTX) blockade either monocularly (three animals) or binocularly (two animals). In the TTX-treated retinae, the inner plexiform a and b sublaminae were paler for C.O., although visible, and were still separated by the pale cleft. The ganglion cell layer was very pale in comparison to the normal. In the LGN, monocular TTX blockade reduced the C.O. reactivity in the ON and OFF laminae that received input from the treated eye but had little effect on the W-like cell laminae. The ipsilaterally innervated ON and OFF laminae were more affected than were the contralaterally innervated laminae. Binocular TTX treatment resulted in a decrease of C.O. activity in the binocular segment of the ON and OFF LGN laminae. In the striate cortex, the most marked changes following TTX treatment occurred in layer IV.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Laminar organization of ON and OFF regions and ocular dominance in the striate cortex of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri).

The organization of ON and OFF responses and ocular dominance in the striate cortex of the tree shrew was electrophysiologically investigated by using flashed, stationary visual stimuli presented monocularly to either the ipsilateral or contralateral eye. We measured cortical multi-unit activity at 25-micron intervals with glass-insulated platinum-plated tungsten microelectrodes. Penetrations were made perpendicular to the cortical layers and the responses were quantitatively analyzed in layers IIIc to V. In sublayers IIIb, IIIc, and upper V, phasic responses of approximately equal magnitude occurred to both light ON and light OFF (ON-OFF regions). In layer IV, tonic as well as phasic responses were often evoked by the flashed spot of light. In sublayer IVa stronger responses occurred to light ON than to light OFF (ON region) while in sublayer IVb stronger responses occurred to light OFF than to light ON (OFF region). In an ON region, the increased neural activity that occurred at light ON was often accompanied by a decrease in activity below baseline level at light OFF. A similar decrease often occurred in an OFF region at light ON. Recordings from the region of the cell-sparse cleft in layer IV were characterized by ON-OFF responses, signalling a transition zone between sublayers IVa and IVb. In addition, the responses to stimulation of the ipsilateral eye typically were very weak in the cleft region. In the other regions examined, the multi-unit activity generally was driven binocularly with slightly greater responses being elicited by the contralateral eye. We conclude that the ON-center and OFF-center afferent pathways that are organized at the retinal level remain generally segregated in the tree shrew through the first synapse in the striate cortex. In addition, our recordings confirm that a horizontal organization of ocular dominance occurs in layer IV of the striate cortex in tree shrews.

Topographic organization of the orientation column system in the striate cortex of the tree shrew (Tupaia glis). II. Deoxyglucose mapping.

The topographic organization of the orientation column system in the tree shrew striate cortex was examined by using 2-deoxyglucose autoradiography to map the cortical sites of increased metabolic activity produced by visual stimulation with stripes of a single orientation. Awake experimental tree shrews (freely moving, restrained, or paralyzed) were given injections of deoxyglucose label and then stimulated with vertical, horizontal, or oblique stripes for 45--75 min. Autoradiographs of coronal sections through the striate cortex revealed regularly spaced radial zones of increased deoxyglucose uptake 150--350 micrometers wide, extending from the cortical surface to the white matter, separated by interzone regions of lower uptake. The radial zones were most densely labeled and distinct in layers I--IIIb and least distinct in layer IV, which was continuously and densely labeled throughout both the radial zone and interzone regions. These radial zones, which were not present in control animals that viewed many orientations, reflect the locations of cortical cells activated by a single stimulus orientation. Reconstructions of the radial zones from serial sections produced maps of the distribution of increased deoxyglucose uptake across striate cortex. The maps reveal a highly organized system of narrow, parallel bands that are slightly wavy and have a mean spacing of 530 micrometers. The band pattern was confirmed in sections cut tangential to the cortical surface and was similar in animals stimulated with either vertical or horizontal stripes; the bands consistently abut the 17--18 border at nearly right angles and extend across the striate cortex in a generally posteromedial direction. These patterns of increased deoxyglucose consumption confirm the anisotropic distribution of orientation-selective cells across the tree shrew striate cortex, suggested in the preceding microelectrode study (Humphrey and Norton, '80). The density distribution of label within the bands further suggests that the anisotropy is due to a system of parallel, somewhat wavy iso-orientation lines arranged roughly perpendicular to the 17--18 border.

Steady state mRNA levels in tree shrew sclera with form-deprivation myopia and during recovery.

PURPOSE: In tree shrews, visual form deprivation induces myopia and tissue remodeling in the sclera, characterized by decreased levels of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and increased levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Removal of the visual deprivation allows recovery. This study investigated whether these changes are accompanied by changes in steady state mRNA levels in the sclera. METHODS: Quantitative competitive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure steady state levels of mRNA for collagen (alpha1(I) chain), decorin (core protein), gelatinase-A (MMP-2), stromelysin-1 (MMP-3), and a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) in the scleras of tree shrews that received either 11 days of monocular form deprivation (MD) or 11 days of MD followed by 4 days of recovery. A group of age-matched normal animals was also measured. RESULTS: After 11 days of MD, alpha1(I) collagen mRNA levels were 34% lower, and MMP-2 mRNA levels were 66% higher in the deprived eyes than in the control eyes. After 4 days of recovery, collagen mRNA levels were 33% higher, MMP-2 levels were 20% lower, and TIMP-1 levels were 43% higher in the recovering eyes than in the control eyes. Decorin and MMP-3 mRNA levels were not significantly different between the treated and control eyes after MD or after recovery. CONCLUSIONS: The tissue remodeling in mammalian sclera induced by altering the visual environment is accompanied by modulation of mRNA levels in the sclera. The levels of collagen and MMP-2 mRNA were modulated in a pattern generally consistent with observed changes in protein levels, suggesting that visual regulation of the levels of these scleral proteins may involve modulation of gene expression at the transcriptional level.

Refractive and structural measures of lid-suture myopia in tree shrew.

In order to study more thoroughly the refractive and structural changes associated with lid-suture myopia, five tree shrews were raised for approximately 16 weeks with monocular visual experience produced by lid closure. Four animals raised with normal laboratory visual experience served as a control group. Compared to the paired open eye, lid-sutured eyes were myopic (-12.1 +/- 6.3 diopters by retinoscopy), corneas were flatter (0.26 +/- 0.18 mm radius increase by photokeratometry) and axial lengths were greater (0.32 +/- 0.17 mm longer by A-scan ultrasonography). The axial length increase was due to elongation of the vitreous chamber (0.38 +/- 0.19 mm longer by A-scan ultrasonography). The open eyes of experimental animals were not significantly different than the normal eyes of control animals. Two of these treatment effects, namely, refractive state changes and axial length increases, were demonstrated with independent techniques: streak retinoscopy was compared to coincidence optometry, and A-scan ultrasound was compared to axial measurements of photographs of frozen, sectioned eyes. The three main ocular effects of eyelid closure were stable over three measurement sessions completed within a 4 week period. Additional refractive and A-scan measurements taken 7.5 months later showed no significant changes. Optical modelling showed that the observed myopia of the lid-sutured eye is consistent with the observed elongation of the vitreous chamber coupled with the flattened cornea although other changes could not be ruled out. We conclude that an axial myopia is produced reliably in tree shrews by raising them with eyelid closure and that the measurement techniques used in this study have sufficient resolution to study the development of myopia in this species.

ON and OFF regions in layer IV of striate cortex.

In vertical penetrations through the striate cortex in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri), we found regions where neural activity was evoked predominantly by light ON. These were followed by regions where responses were evoked predominantly by light OFF. Histological reconstructions indicated that the ON regions were correlated with layer IVa and the OFF regions were correlated with layer IVb. Local application of cobalt chloride produced a transient cessation of visually evoked activity, suggesting that the electrodes sampled cortical activity rather than lateral geniculate nucleus afferents. These data demonstrate that separate ON and OFF regions are present in the tree shrew striate cortex and suggest that spatially separate, parallel ON and OFF afferent channels extend, in this species, at least through the first synapse in the striate cortex.

Laminar origin of projections from the superficial layers of the superior colliculus in the tree shrew, Tupaia glis.

The laminar origin of the efferent projections from the superior colliculus to the pulvinar and to the dorsal and ventral lateral geniculate nuclei has been studied using the retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase. Following injections in either the dorsal or the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, cells heavily labeled with the horseradish peroxidase reaction product are restricted primarily to the upper stratum griseum superficiale. These cells have small, fusiform somas with dendrites which extend dorsally and ventrally, perpendicular to the pial surface. In contrast, following injections in the pulvinar, cells labeled with reaction product are restricted primarily to the lower stratum griseum superficiale and to the most superficial part of stratum opticum. These cells typically have larger somas than cells in the upper stratum griseum superficiale, and often have dendrites which emerge horizontally from the cell body. When taken together with previous electrophysiological and anatomical studies, the present findings suggest that there is a laminar subdivision of the tree shrew stratum griseum superficiale, and that these subdivisions project selectively to different thalamic targets.

Effects of bicuculline on signal detectability in lateral geniculate nucleus relay cells.

The lateral geniculate nucleus conveys the center-surround organized retinal receptive fields to the cortex in a way that does not significantly alter their spatial structure. However, non-retinal influences may change the 'strength' (detectability) of the signal under conditions of anesthesia, arousal and attention. A previous analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves in cat suggests that a reduction in signal detectability occurs in lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) relay cells in anesthetized animals in comparison to the retinal afferents. In the present study, it was found that antagonism of GABAA receptors with bicuculline (BIC) increased signal detectability in LGN relay cells in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri). This change is consistent with the hypothesis that feedforward and/or feedback GABAergic circuits in the LGN differentially affect the retinogeniculate transfer ratio for visually driven activity versus maintained (spontaneous) activity. Under conditions of arousal or attention, signal detectability may be increased by brainstem activation, thus increasing the flow of information in the visual system.

Effects of bicuculline on receptive field center sensitivity of relay cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus.

The lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) receives input from the retina that is spatially organized into a receptive-field center and surround. It maintains this organization in the signal that it sends to the visual cortex. Previous studies have focused on changes in the receptive-field 'surround' that are generated at the LGN, possibly as a local contrast enhancement mechanism. The present study suggests a role for the LGN in regulating the receptive-field center sensitivity under the control of GABAergic circuitry. Local microiontophoresis of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline increased the contrast sensitivity of LGN relay cells to many spatial frequencies. Difference of Gaussians analysis showed that the increased was due to an increased sensitivity of the receptive-field center. Similar increases in receptive-field center sensitivity may be produced during behavioral arousal by the action of pontine and mesencephalic pathways upon the activity of the LGN GABAergic circuitry.

W-like response properties of interlaminar zone cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus of a primate (Galago crassicaudatus).

Recent anatomical studies have suggested that the cells located in the interlaminar zones (ILZs) of the primate dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) relay visual information from the retina to the striate cortex in a manner similar to that of W-cells in the LGN of cat. In the present study, we examined this idea directly by recording the response properties of single cells localized to the ILZs in the prosimian primate, Galago crassicaudatus. The properties of the cells in the ILZs were found to be physiologically distinct from the X-like and Y-like properties of the parvocellular and magnocellular LGN layers. Moreover, the small cells located in the interlaminar zones were physiologically similar to the W-like cells found in the specialized small-celled koniocellular layers in these primates. As is the case with the koniocellular layer cells, the ILZ cells exhibited a broad range of properties which, as a group, were distinguished by the following characteristics: the ILZ cells had long latencies to stimulation of the optic chiasm (mean, 3.95 ms) and to antidromic stimulation from striate cortex (mean, 3.31 ms) and had relatively large receptive-field centers (mean, 1.79 degrees). They also had low maintained discharge rates (5.5 spikes/s), relatively long response latencies to light (mean onset, 82 ms; peak, 112 ms) and low peak firing rates (59 spikes/s). Few (25%) had standard receptive-field organization (ON-center, OFF-surround, or vice versa). Only 29% responded well to sine-wave gratings and all were influenced by non-visual (auditory and tactile) stimuli.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Normal development of refractive state and ocular component dimensions in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri).

The normal development of refractive state, ocular components and simple visually-guided behaviors was examined in maternally-reared tree shrews. Six groups consisting of 5 animals each were anesthetized and examined after 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days of normal binocular visual exposure. Measures in the 75-day group provided values for an improved schematic eye of the tree shrew. Cycloplegic refraction showed a marked hyperopia (+25 D) at eye opening which decreased rapidly during the first 15 days of visual exposure and stabilized near the value (+5 D) expected in an eye of this axial length (approx. 7.8 mm). Corneal radius increased slightly during development. Anterior segment depth, measured by A-scan ultrasonography, seemed to complete most of its development at an earlier age (15-30 days of visual exposure) than did other ocular parameters. Lens thickness increased steadily throughout development. Vitreous chamber depth increased rapidly until 15 days of visual exposure, and then decreased because the lens thickness increased more rapidly than axial length. Crude orienting to, and following of, large objects developed shortly after eye opening (median age at onset, 5 and 6 days, respectively). Triggered visual placing responses developed at about the same time that the refractive state completed the rapid drop from highly hyperopic values. The slowed rate of ocular development after 15 days of visual exposure may be related to increased retinal activity that is permitted by neural maturation and by the presence of a relatively well-focussed retinal image. The increased activity may influence the final dimensions of the eye to coordinate the axial length with the focal length of the eye.

The development of experimental myopia and ocular component dimensions in monocularly lid-sutured tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri)

Tree shrews were monocularly deprived (MD) from the day of eye opening for periods of 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 days. The initial structural change after 15 days of MD was a flattening of the corneal curvature in the deprived eye causing a hyperopic increase in refraction, relative to the fellow control eye. A relative myopia was first observed after 30 days of deprivation and increased as the length of MD increased. Animals monocularly deprived for 75 days consistently showed high degrees of myopia (greater -10 D). An increase in vitreous chamber depth was found after 30 days of deprivation and continued to increase, relative to the control eye, throughout the developmental period under investigation. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.84) between increase in vitreous chamber depth and the amount of experimentally-induced myopia. Anterior chamber depth was shallower in the deprived eyes of all animals. The crystalline lens was also consistently thinner in the deprived eye. Based on optical modeling, the observed myopia was consistent with the changes in ocular component dimensions. The susceptible period for experimental myopia begins about 15 days after eye opening.

The susceptible period for deprivation-induced myopia in tree shrew.

To examine the susceptible period for deprivation-induced myopia, six groups of tree shrew pups (Tupaia glis belangeri) were monocularly deprived for 12 days with an opaque occluder starting 7, 15, 21, 33, 48, or 63 days after natural eyelid opening. Compared to the untreated fellow control eye, significant myopia and vitreous chamber elongation were produced by the deprivation in all six groups. The effect was greater in the middle three groups in comparison with the youngest and the two oldest groups and the amount of induced myopia and axial elongation was not proportional to the normal rate of axial growth. The peak period of susceptibility was between approximately 15 and 45 days after eye opening during the juvenile, slow-elongation phase of ocular development when the eye is within 7% of its adult axial length. Significant myopia and axial elongation were also induced in adult animals by 70 days of monocular deprivation. To examine recovery from deprivation-induced myopia, the occluder was removed at the end of the 12 day deprivation period. After an additional 48 days of binocular visual experience, no significant myopia was present in the previously deprived eyes in any experimental group. During the recovery period, the elongation rate of the previously deprived eyes was reduced in comparison with the control eyes while normal corneal flattening and lens development continued, thus reducing the myopia. No difference in corneal curvature, relative to the untreated control eyes, was found after deprivation or after the recovery period. Data are presented which suggests that changes in the thickness of the choroid may occur in this mammal during deprivation and recovery that are in the same direction, but of smaller magnitude, than those reported in the chicken. The results of this study provide evidence that visually guided emmetropization occurs in this mammalian species during a period of ocular development analogous to the juvenile period in humans.

Regulation of the mechanical properties of tree shrew sclera by the visual environment.

Experiments in several species have shown that the axial elongation rate of the developing eye can be increased or decreased by manipulating the visual environment, indicating that a visually guided emmetropization mechanism controls the enlargement of the vertebrate eye during postnatal development. Previous studies in tree shrews (Tupaia glis belangeri) suggest that regulation of the mechanical properties of the sclera may be an important part of the mechanism that controls the axial elongation rate in this mammal. To learn whether the mechanical properties of the sclera change when the axial elongation rate is increased or decreased under visual control, uniaxial mechanical tests were performed on 3-mm wide strips of tree shrew sclera. The creep rate was measured under 1, 3, and 5 g of tension, maintained for 30 min at each level. The modulus of elasticity was calculated from the elastic extension that occurred when the force was increased from 0 to 1 g, 1 to 3 g, and 3 to 5 g. Both were measured in the sclera of both eyes from animals exposed to four experimental conditions: (1) Normal development, at intervals from the day of natural eyelid opening (day 1 of visual experience [VE]) to greater than 5 years of age; (2) Monocular form deprivation (MD), for varying lengths of time; (3) Recovery from MD; (4) Monocular -5 D lens treatment. The creep rate was low in normal animals (1-2% elongation/h), did not change significantly between day 1 and day 75 of VE, and was not significantly different between the two eyes. Four days of MD produced a 200-300% increase in creep rate in the sclera from deprived eyes. Creep rate remained similarly elevated after 11 and 21 days of MD. After 2 days of recovery, which followed 11 days of MD, the creep rate of sclera from the recovering eyes was below normal levels. In animals that wore a monocular -5 D lens for up to 21 days, creep rate increased, and then decreased, in concert with the increase, and decrease, in axial elongation rate as the eyes compensated for the lens. The modulus of elasticity of the sclera was not significantly affected by any manipulation. The temporal correspondence between changes in axial elongation rate and changes in creep rate support the hypothesis that regulation of the time-dependent mechanical properties of fibrous mammalian sclera plays a role in controlling axial elongation rate during both normal emmetropization and the development of refractive errors.

Reduced extracellular matrix in mammalian sclera with induced myopia.

The purpose of this study was to learn whether visual form deprivation, which produces myopia in the deprived eye, alters the scleral extracellular matrix in tree shrew, a mammal closely related to primates. Axial myopia was induced in 10 tree shrews by monocular deprivation imposed with a translucent diffuser. The other eye in each animal was an untreated control. After 21 days of deprivation the refractive state and axial component dimensions were measured and the eyes were assayed for levels of DNA, hydroxyproline, and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in samples of the sclera and the cornea. In comparison to the open control eye, the deprived eyes became myopic and elongated. In the sclera, DNA levels were not significantly changed from the control eye. Sulfated GAG levels were significantly lower in the deprived eyes, as compared to the control eyes, at the posterior pole (-15.6%), at the nasal equatorial region (-18.1%), and in the rest of the sclera (-11.6%). The hydroxyproline level was significantly lower only at the posterior pole (-11.8%). Levels of sulfated GAGs were significantly reduced relative to DNA and relative to hydroxyproline in the total sclera. No significant changes were found in the cornea. The lower level of sulfated GAGs throughout the sclera of the deprived eyes, as compared with the control eyes, suggests that the deprived sclera contained less proteoglycan, or that the proteoglycans were less glycosylated or less sulfated. In contrast, the regional reduction of hydroxyproline suggests that collagen accumulation was specifically reduced only at the posterior pole of deprived eyes. These results suggest that form deprivation slows or reverses the normal process of extracellular matrix accumulation in the sclera of this mammal. This may allow the sclera to be more distensible, permitting the vitreous chamber elongation and resultant myopia.

Visual resolution and sensitivity in a nocturnal primate (galago) measured with visual evoked potentials.

Visual resolution and contrast sensitivity were examined in anesthetized, paralyzed galagos using visual evoked potentials (VEPs) resulting from stimulation with phase-reversed sinewave gratings. Spatial frequency vs contrast response functions were band-pass with peak sensitivity at 0.2-0.4 c/deg and a high frequency cut-off between 1.6 and 3 c/deg. Peak contrast sensitivities (estimated from extrapolation of contrast response functions) varied across animals from 10 to 170. Variation of the stimulus modulation rate showed that best responses occurred at 1 Hz with an upper limit of 6-16 Hz. As in other primates, an oblique effect was seen in 6 of 8 animals. The contrast sensitivity function (CSF) determined from cortical VEPs agrees well with the CSFs of cells in the lateral geniculate nucleus, but peak sensitivity and spatial frequency are slightly lower than found for the behavioral CSF. Overall visual performance resembled closely that of another nocturnal species, the cat.

Reduction in choroidal blood flow occurs in chicks wearing goggles that induce eye growth toward myopia.

Goggles that degrade the retinal image produce axial enlargement of the ocular globe and large myopic refractive errors. Many authors have assumed that visual image degradation itself leads to myopia. Hodos and co-authors have shown, however, that goggled eyes in chicks are considerably warmer than normal. Such temperature changes may either underlie or be a consequence of alterations in choroidal blood flow (CBF). Since alterations in CBF could affect eye growth, we explored the effect of monocular goggling on CBF in chicks. Plastic goggles were glued over one eye in four-day old chicks and the goggles were left in place for 12 or 14 days. Fourteen days after the goggling, CBF was measured using laser Doppler velocimetry. Three groups of chicks were studied: 1) chicks with goggles for 14 days; 2) chicks with goggles for 12 days followed by no goggles for the two days; 3) age matched non-goggled chicks. A -scan ultrasonography confirmed that the visual deprivation produced vitreous chamber elongation in the goggled eye and that the degree of elongation for the goggled eye was the same for the two goggled groups. The results were: 1) blood flow in non-goggled chicks was similar in both eyes; 2) blood flow was significantly reduced in the goggled eye in chicks wearing goggles for 14 days- 37% of control; and 3) blood flow was still significantly reduced in the goggled eye in chicks whose goggles were removed two days before measurement- 51% of control. These results show that CBF is reduced by goggles that result in myopic eye growth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)