ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To investigate the changes of the dopaminergic system in rat striatum after visual deprivation during a critical period of postnatal development. METHODS: The changes of dopamine D1 and D2 receptor (Rc) mRNA were investigated by using Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization in the rat striatum. The right eyelid of visually deprivated rat was sutured at 10 postnatal days. After visual deprivation for 4 weeks, rats were sacrificed and striatum tissues were removed for analysis. RESULTS: By Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization, decreased expression of D1 and D2 Rc mRNA was noted in the ipsilateral striatum to the deprivated eye. CONCLUSIONS: These results have shown that visual deprivation during a critical period of postnatal development influences the dopaminergic system in the striatum.