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Albino gene dosage and retinal decussation patterns in the pigmented ferrret

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 June 2009

I. D. Thompson
Affiliation:
University Labortory of Physiology, Parks Road Oxford, U.K.
G. Jeffery*
Affiliation:
Department of Human Antomy, South Parks Road, Oxford, U.K.
J. E. Morgan
Affiliation:
University Labortory of Physiology, Parks Road Oxford, U.K.
G. Baker
Affiliation:
Department of Human Antomy, South Parks Road, Oxford, U.K.
*
Current address of G. Jeffery: Department Visual Science, Institute of Ophthalmology, Judd Street, London WCIH 9QS, U.K.

Abstract

We have examined the retinal decussation patterns in pigmented ferrets that were either wild-type sable or heterozygous with one albino gene. Unilateral injections of horseradish peroxidase were made into the optic tract and labeled ganglion cells visualized in retinal wholemounts. In both wild-type and heterozygous ferrets, those ganglion cells in the temporal retina with the largest cell bodies projected only to the contralateral side of the brain. The total number of ipsilaterally projecting ganglion cells did not differ with the genotype of the animal. The numbers ranged from 5471–6759 cells. Unlike the cat, there is no difference in retinal decussation patterns in wild-type sable ferrets and heterozygous ferrets carrying one albino gene.

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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