RESUMO
Objective To compare the differences of the electrophysiological and morphological properties of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in Long Evans and Wistar rats. Methods Whole cell patch clamp recordings were made from RGCs in the acute retinal slices of Long Evans and Wistar rats aged postnatal 0-31 d. RGCs were stained with Lucifer Yellow diffused into cells during whole-cell recordings for the purpose of morphological study. The sections of rat retinas by HE staining were examined by light microscopy. Results The differences of electrophysiological properties in Long Evans and Wistar rats were not significant. There were pigment granules in retinal pigment epithelial cells of Long Evans but not in those of Wistar rats. Conclusion Long Evans rats can be the good animal model for visual and neural science research in place of Wistar rats.