Long Evans和Wistar大鼠视网膜神经节细胞电生理学及形态学特性比较研究

目的比较Long Evans大鼠和Wistar大鼠睁眼前后视网膜神经节细胞(retinal ganglion cells, RGCs)电生理学特性及形态学特征上的差异.方法取出生后0～31 d Long Evans和Wistar大鼠,各按睁眼时间分为两组,制备视网膜片,行膜片钳全细胞记录,同时行组织切片和细胞内染色,观察形态特征.结果比较22只Long Evans大鼠和24只Wistar大鼠被动膜学特性和动作电位(action potential, AP)幅度及阈值无显著差异,形态学上除两者视网膜色素上皮细胞(retinal pigment epithelium, RPE)含或不含色素颗粒外未见明显区别.结论 Long Evans大鼠因其RPE含色素颗粒,以及在视觉和神经系统等方面的优点,可取代Wistar等白化鼠而作为一种良好的视觉和神经科学研究的实验动物模型.

Comparison of electrophysiological and morphological properties of retinal ganglion cells in Long Evans and Wistar rats

Objective To compare the differences of the electrophysiological and morphological properties of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in Long Evans and Wistar rats. Methods Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from RGCs in the acute retinal slices of Long Evans and Wistar rats aged postnatal 0-31 d. RGCs were stained with Lucifer Yellow diffused into cells during whole-cell recordings for the purpose of morphological study. The sections of rat retinas by HE staining were examined by light microscopy. Results The differences of electrophysiological properties in Long Evans and Wistar rats were not significant. There were pigment granules in retinal pigment epithelial cells of Long Evans but not in those of Wistar rats. Conclusion Long Evans rats can be the good animal model for visual and neural science research in place of Wistar rats.