Dopaminergic behaviour in chicken retina and the effect of form deprivation

Abstract

Purpose: Dopamine (DA) is considered to be a neurotransmitter involved in light-adaptive responses in the retina and has been implicated in the control of the eye growth induced by form deprivation. Vitreal DOPAC was shown to be a good indicator of retinal dopaminergic activity.

Methods/results: Dopaminergic activity was highest during the light; with vitreal DOPAC levels rising within 3 h of light exposure. Form deprivation attenuated dopaminergic activity, as the rise in vitreal DOPAC levels on light exposure was reduced in form-deprived eyes, compared with control eyes.

Conclusion: The lack of sustained activation of DA release may explain the role of DA in the control of eye-growth.