RESUMO
Objective To observe the electrophysiological and morphological features of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in rats, and investigate its effect on the visual signal conduction. Methods Whole cell recordings were obtained from 112 RGCs of 30 rats at the age of 7-30 days. Resting membrane potential (RMP) was recorded, and input impedance was noted after given 2 mV hyperpolarizing current by voltage clamp. The action potential (AP) was induced by deplorizing current at different densities. The histological staining was actualized by injecting with biotin into the RGCs, and the diameter of the cells was measured. Results Three different discharge patterns of RGCs in response to maintained depolarizing currents were recorded: single spike (25 RGCs), transient firing (40 RGCs), and sustained firing (47 RGCs). The diameter was 14-16 ?m in 57.14% transient firing RGCs, and 10-12 ?m in 62.50% sustained firing RGCs. The maximum frequency of AP of sustained firing RGCs was significantly higher than that of transient firing RGCs (P