EFFECT OF UNILATERAL VISUAL DEPRIVATION AND VISUAL STIMULATION ON THE ACTIVITIES OF ALKALINE PHOSPHATASE, ACID PHOSPHATASE, Na+−K+ ACTIVATED Mg2+ CATALYSED ADENOSINE TRIPHOSPHATASE AND ON THE CONTENT OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM IONS OF THE OPTIC LOBE OF ADULT PIGEON

—A study was made of the effects of unilateral visual deprivation and stimulation upon the activities of alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1), acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2), Na⁺-K⁺ activated Mg²⁺ catalysed ATPase (EC 3.6.1.4) and upon the Na⁺ and K⁺ contents of the optic lobe of adult pigeon (Columba livia). Visual deprivation was achieved by eyelid suturing or by enucleation and maintained for 1–9 weeks. Unilateral visual stimulation was maintained for 75 min following 72 h of darkness. A statistically significant increase in the activity of alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in the optic lobe after unilateral visual deprivation whereas unilateral visual stimulation resulted in the opposite effect. Acid phosphatase activity was found to be unchanged under all experimental conditions. Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity was found to increase significantly following unilateral visual stimulation and following eyelid suturing in the corresponding optic lobes; unilateral enucleation resulted in a decrease in the Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase activity. An increase in the enzyme activity was found to be associated with an increase in the level of Na⁺-ion and a decrease in the level of K⁺-ion, and vice versa.