Ontogenesis of the electroretinogram in a precocial mammal, the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus)

1. Ontogenesis of the electroretinogram, the mass electrical response of the retina to flash light stimuli, was studied in the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), a precocial species with visual function at birth. 2. a-Wave components, b-wave, oscillatory potentials, slow PIII, and c-wave responses to flash stimuli developed between 55 and 64 days of gestation (full term is 68-69 days). 3. a-Waves attributable to photoreceptor functions were fully mature at 60 days. 4. ERG development lagged behind the reported critical milestones in retinal development; its prenatal onset indicates that no history of light entrainment is required for initiation of a mature ERG response.     

Electrical activity of the retina in different axial lengths of the eye in humans

In subjects with normal vision, we studied the relationship between the axial length of the eye and the amplitude-temporal characteristics of different types of ganzfield ERG. The amplitude of the ERG had the highest variability in the middle of the range of the axial eye lengths. The variability decreased at both ends of the range. With increasing axial length, the amplitude of the b-wave of all types of ERG decreased, and the latency decreased concurrently. The b-wave reflects the activity of the retinal ON-neurones depolarizing in response to the light stimulus. We assume that the decrease in the amplitude of b-wave may be related to the decreased number of photoreceptors and of neurons in the following retinal levels and/or increased inhibition in proximal retina, as well as an increase in relative activity of retinal OFF-neurones hyperpolarizing in response to the light stimulus.     

Comparison of Stimulus Energies Required to Elicit the ERG in Response to X-Rays and to Light

The retina of Rana pipiens, the leopard frog or grass frog, is shown to be an extremely sensitive detector of x-rays. Its sensitivity to x-rays equals in some respects its sensitivity to visible light. The energy required for the response to visible light is so low that the reaction has long been known as one of the most sensitive in biological systems. An exact comparison is made of the amount of energy required in the stimulus to elicit an electroretinogram (ERG) in response to x-rays and in response to light. ERG's from threshold responses to maximal responses obtainable with x-rays and with light are reproduced. The rods of the retina are shown to be responsible for the production of the ERG. The actual amount of energy absorbed in the rhodopsin from x-ray and from light stimulation over a wide range of intensities and durations has been determined and has been related to the amplitude of the ERG. To the question whether light or x-rays are more efficient in eliciting an ERG, no simple or unequivocal answer can be given. The three dimensional relationship of amplitude of response, intensity of stimulus, and duration of stimulus shows rather unexpectedly that in certain regions light is more efficient while in other regions x-rays are more efficient.     

An experimental unit for the recording of the escape reaction of a ground snail to tactile stimulation

An original working experimental unit for noninvasive objective recording of the magnitude of escape reaction of a ground snail evoked by tactile stimulation is described. A. snail creeps upwards over the cylinder rotating around its horizontal axis. A watching device ensures a constant snail position relative to a light source and a photoelement. A device for tactile stimulation which provides graduated energy of an impact is constructed on the basis of the magnetic circuit of a loudspeaker. In response to a tactile stimulus a snail pulls in its feelers, head, and foot, and the area of snail's shadow decreases. These changes are indicated by the photoelement.     

Visual Adaptation in the Retina of the Skate

The electroretinogram (ERG) and single-unit ganglion cell activity were recorded from the eyecup of the skate (Raja erinacea and R. oscellata), and the adaptation properties of both types of response compared with in situ rhodopsin measurements obtained by fundus reflectometry. Under all conditions tested, the b-wave of the ERG and the ganglion cell discharge showed identical adaptation properties. For example, after flash adaptation that bleached 80% of the rhodopsin, neither ganglion cell nor b-wave activity could be elicited for 10–15 min. Following this unresponsive period, thresholds fell rapidly; by 20 min after the flash, sensitivity was within 3 log units of the dark-adapted level. Further recovery of threshold was slow, requiring an additional 70–90 min to reach absolute threshold. Measurements of rhodopsin levels showed a close correlation with the slow recovery of threshold that occurred between 20 and 120 min of dark adaptation; there is a linear relation between rhodopsin concentration and log threshold. Other experiments dealt with the initial unresponsive period induced by light adaptation. The duration of this unresponsive period depended on the brightness of the adapting field; with bright backgrounds, suppression of retinal activity lasted 20–25 min, but sensitivity subsequently returned and thresholds fell to a steady-state value. At all background levels tested, increment thresholds were linearly related to background luminance.     

Effects of Cardiac Glycosides on Electrical Activity in the Isolated Retina of the Frog

Ouabain added to physiological salt solutions bathing the isolated frog retina irreversibly abolishes the electrical response to light (the electroretinogram or ERG). The time course of abolition depends on the concentration of ouabain in the medium and the surface of the retina to which it is applied. When the glycoside is placed on the receptor surface, in 7 min the ERG is completely eliminated by 10^-4 M ouabain and more than 90% inhibited by 3 x 10^-5 M ouabain. The effect is slower at lower concentrations and when the solution is applied to the vitreous surface of the retina. The evidence suggests that abolition of the ERG by ouabain is due principally to inhibition of the active transport of sodium: (a) Structurally modified glycosides which are considerably less potent inhibitors of alkali cation-activated ATPase activity in preparations of frog retinal outer segments are also poorer inhibitors of electrical activity in isolated retinas. (b) Replacing much of the sodium in the medium bathing the retina by choline, Tris, or sucrose significantly protects the retina from ouabain. It is suggested that in a standard sodium environment essentially constant activity of the sodium pump is required to prevent rapid and irreversible change. The cellular sites most critically dependent on the sodium pump have not been identified.     

Relationship between light conditions and behavior of the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata (Say)

The influence of light upon behavior of Biomphalaria glabrata was investigated in snails submitted for 48 h to one of the following regimes: normal light cycle, continuous darkness, continuous light. Time-lapse cinematography was used to provide data about snail locomotor activity in response to (a) continuous light or darkness; (b) light or dark phases; (c) light transitions. Snails were significantly less active under continuous light than under continuous or intermittent darkness. Under the normal light cycle, the activity rate was significantly higher in the dark than in the light. Changes from light to dark corresponded to increases in the activity rate which persisted long afterwards. No significant variation in activity occurred upon changes from dark to light.     

钉螺和螺卵静水沉降及运动方式的实验研究

本文应用水力学、生物学相结合理论，采用常规空气排水法，比重试验法分别测定钉螺、螺卵的重率；运用物体自由沉降及竹节置螺方法，对钉螺静水沉速及运动方式进行实测；观测。试验结果，获得钉螺、螺卵基本力学性质的几个物理指标值，即：活钉螺，螺卵的平均重率分别为１．８０ｇ／ｃｍ＾３，２．２９ｇ／ｃｍ＾３，钉螺，螺卵静水沉速的平均值范围在２．２２－１３．８９ｃｍ／ｓ之间；并建立计算钉螺，螺卵静水沉速的４个实用公式     

Melatonin modulates the ERG circadian rhythm in crayfish

One of the most important functions modulated by melatonin is the synchronization of circadian rhythms. In crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), we have obtained evidence that the amplitude of the electrical response to light of the retinal photoreceptors the receptor potential, is modified by the action of melatonin and that the magnitude of this action depends on the circadian time of melatonin application. In contrast, the electroretinogram (ERG) circadian rhythm can be synchronized by either single or periodic melatonin application. In this work we hypothesized that, in crayfish, melatonin acts on effectors and on pacemaker of ERG circadian rhythm as a non-photic synchronizer. Melatonin could be a hormone that sends a signal of darkness to the ERG circadian system.     

Microelectrode investigations of learning phenomena in snail (Helix pomatia) neurones.

We have examined changes of postsynaptic potentials and of pattern activity of the identified silent and oscillatory snail neurones in Helix pomatia during conditioning. Local changes of EPSP or IPSP have been recorded during association following the first stimulus in the silent cells, whereas spike discharges could be observed in response to the 2nd stimulus. In the oscillatory neurones changes of pattern activity have been recorded following the 2nd stimulus, while the first stimulus proved to be ineffective. The formation of temporary connections of snail neurones seemed to be a specific phenomenon, because it was necessary to pair stimuli of different inputs for the development of these modifications. These plastic changes seemed to depend on the interstimulus as well as on the intertrial intervals. Our experimental data underline the probable role of the stimulus parameters and of the electrical properties of neurones during the formation of learned neuronal responses.     

Circadian rhythm of ERG in Iguana iguana: role of the pineal

In green iguanas, the pineal controls the circadian rhythm of body temperature but not the rhythm of locomotor activity. As part of a program to investigate the characteristics of this multioscillator circadian system, the authors studied the circadian rhythms of the electroretinographic response (ERG) and asked whether the pineal gland is necessary for the expression of this rhythm. ERGs from a total of 24 anesthetized juvenile iguanas were recorded under four different conditions: (a) complete darkness (DD), (b) dim light-dark cycles (dLD), (c) constant dim light (dLL), and (d) pinealectomized in DD. Results demonstrate that the b-wave component of the ERG shows a very clear circadian rhythm in DD and that this rhythm persists in dLL and entrains to dLD cycles. The ERG response is maximally sensitive during the subjective day. Pinealectomy does not abolish the circadian rhythm in ERG, demonstrating that the oscillator responsible for the ERG rhythm is located elsewhere.     

夜行性昆虫微光视觉行为及其视觉适应机制

作为昆虫种群的重要组成部分,夜行性昆虫成功进化出了与其生存环境相适应的感觉机制,普遍认为夜行性昆虫主要依靠嗅觉和机械性感受等来探索环境,其视觉器官发生了退化或功能丧失。近年来,随着红外夜视、视网膜电位(electroretinogram, ERG)和视觉神经等生物新技术的应用,昆虫视觉生态学研究出现了突破性进展,自2002年以来陆续发现蛾类、蜜蜂和蜣螂等夜行性昆虫进化出了非凡的微光视觉(dim-light vision)能力,在夜晚(光照强度低于0.3 lx)依然可以如同在明亮的白天一样清晰、准确地感知目标物体特定的视觉特性,如明暗、颜色、形状、大小、对比度、偏振光和运动状态等,展现出视觉调控夜行性昆虫行为活动的巨大潜力。此外,这些夜行性昆虫复眼瞳孔、小眼焦距、视杆和色素颗粒等方面进化出了一些相应的形态生理特征,以提高光学灵敏度适应夜间微光环境。鉴于夜行性昆虫微光视觉行为及其视觉适应机制的研究尚处于起步阶段,仅见于少数访花昆虫或粪食性昆虫,建议加强以下几个方面的研究：(1)重大夜行性农业害虫的微光视觉及其应用的研究;(2)非典型重叠复眼的光学结构特征及其应对微光环境的适应机制研究;(3)夜行性昆虫响应微光环境的视觉适应机制研究;(4)基于夜行性昆虫微光视觉行为研发新型害虫防控技术。     

光强度对大草蛉成虫感光性和趋光性行为的影响

运用视网膜电位（electroretinogram, ERG）技术和行为学方法研究了大草蛉Chrysopa pallens Ramber成虫的光强度反应。结果显示: （1）白光（Log I= 4.5~0.0）可引发2 h暗适应的大草蛉复眼的电位反应。随光强增强其ERG值呈近线性增大, 最强时未出现高端平台, 表明该光强范围内其感光性基本一致, 且可感受更强的光; （2）一定光强度（Log I= 4.0）以上的白光可引发大草蛉较明显的趋光性行为, 该行为具有光强域值特征和较明显的光强度依赖性。弱光时（Log I=4.5）无趋光性行为, 随光强增大趋光性反应率增大, 光较弱（Log I= 4.5~1.5）时增大缓慢, 较强（Log I=1.5~0.0）时迅速增大, 至最强（Log I=0.0）时最大（37.1%）, 呈一近“J”型式样。避光行为无或很低, 且无规律, 最大值仅为4.5%。这些结果表明: 光强度是大草蛉感光性与趋光性行为的重要决定因素, 强光时感光性电位反应与趋光性行为反应基本一致, 弱光时则不同, 暗示了光强度信息在感光性和趋光性间作用的有条件性和复杂性。     

Comparison of electroretinogram and electromyogram responses to radiant energy stimulation in the moth, Trichoplusia ni

The responses of cabbage loopers to monochromatic light stimuli have been studied by electroretinogram (ERG) and electromyogram (EMG) techniques. The typical ERG response of the cabbage looper is composed of A, B, C, and D waves. The spectral sensitivity curves for male and female cabbage loopers show a major peak at 540 to 550 nm and a minor peak at 360 nm. The EMG response of the cabbage looper to monochromatic light is indicated by an increased firing of the basalar muscles, often resulting in double spikes on the same side as the light. There is no change in the basalar muscle activity on the side opposite the light, but sometimes an increase in the tergosternal muscle spikes on this side was observed. The turning intensity curves produced by counting the double basalar spikes shows a major peak in the near ultraviolet at 370 to 380 nm and minor peak at 560 to 570 nm.     

Video image processing greatly enhances contrast, quality, and speed in polarization-based microscopy

Video cameras with contrast and black level controls can yield polarized light and differential interference contrast microscope images with unprecedented image quality, resolution, and recording speed. The theoretical basis and practical aspects of video polarization and differential interference contrast microscopy are discussed and several applications in cell biology are illustrated. These include: birefringence of cortical structures and beating cilia in Stentor, birefringence of rotating flagella on a single bacterium, growth and morphogenesis of echinoderm skeletal spicules in culture, ciliary and electrical activity in a balancing organ of a nudibranch snail, and acrosomal reaction in activated sperm.     

Daily variations of immunoreactive melatonin in the visual system of crayfish

In crustaceans, melatonin has been detected in the central nervous system and some other organs. The aim of this study was to analyze the melatonin content in the visual system of Procambarus clarkii, by means of radioimmunoassay, at different day-night phases. We have also studied the action of exogenous melatonin on the main properties of the electroretinogram (ERG) circadian rhythm. Experiments were conducted with 25 specimens maintained under controlled conditions of 16°C and 12 h of light alternating with 12 h of darkness. Eyes where cut in dim red light and shock frozen with liquid nitrogen and pulverized in a mortar until a homogenous powder was obtained. Melatonin was extracted with acetone, followed by centrifugation, diluted with an equal volume of equa bidest to ensure freezing at ?80°C for at least 90 min and lyophilization at the same temperature. Lyophilizates, after having been dissolved in RIA buffer, were used for determinations of melatonin. Long-term recordings of electrical responses to light (ERG) were obtained for 10 or more consecutive days. At the 5th day, a single dose of melatonin was injected and its effects on amplitude and period of the ERG circadian rhythm were measured. Melatonin concentrations differed considerably depending on the circadian time and attained a maximum during dark phase. Among the crustaceans, Procambarus clarkii represents the first case in which melatonin peaks during the night following the typical pattern known in the majority of organisms. After melatonin injection, period and amplitude of the ERG circadian rhythm were increased. This effect suggests the involvement of melatonin in the oscillators underlying the generation and expression of circadian rhythms in crayfish.     

Cerebroid Ganglion is the Presumptive Pacemaker of the Circadian Rhythm of Electrical Response to Light in the Crayfish

One of the most widely studied circadian rhythms in invertebrates is that of light responsiveness whose underlying mechanisms seem to involve different groups of oscillators which act as pacemakers. Although, in crayfish, there are clear circadian rhythms in the electroretinogram (ERG) amplitude, the precise location of the pacemaker system driving this rhythm is uncertain. Some data suggest that the circadian pacemaker could be located in a group of neurosecretory cells of the supraesophageal ganglion (the cerebroid ganglion or brain) and that the sinus gland plays a determinant role in the generation and expression of this rhythm through periodic release of pigment-dispersing hormone (PDH). The aim of this work is to examine the role of the brain in the expression of the ERG circadian activity. The hypothesis we test is that the electrical activity at the brain level has a circadian behavior in the firing pattern of spontaneous multiunit activity (MUA) and in visual evoked potentials (VEPs). The results indicate that there are robust circadian rhythms in both MUA, recorded from several regions of the brain, and in the averaged VEPs recorded from the protocerebrum area. These rhythms are 180° out of phase to one another. The rhythm of VEPs showed a main peak at midnight which was in close phase relationship with the ERG amplitude rhythm.     

棉铃虫蛾复眼光反应特性

用视网膜电位图(electroretinogram,ERG)技术研究了棉铃虫Helicoverpa armigera蛾暗适应过程中对单色光和白光刺激的光感受性变化。结果显示：(1)依ERG振幅大小(峰-峰值),在340～605 nm波谱内有3个大小不等的峰-主峰位于绿 黄光区562 nm,次峰在蓝光区483 nm,第3个峰在近紫外区400 nm,显示其至少有3种感受器;(2)性别、日龄及暗适应时间长短对其光谱敏感性有影响,低龄时雄蛾对单色光刺激较雌蛾敏感,高日龄时相反;1～5日龄内, 3日龄蛾的视网膜电位(ERP)值最高;随暗适应时间延长,其复眼对近紫外区400 nm敏感性明显增加;(3)一定光强度范围内,随单色光和白光光强度增强该蛾复眼的ERP值增大,初期增加较缓,中期较快,呈近似S型曲线,显示其复眼具有较强的光强度自调节和适应机制。