HEREDITARY RETINAL DYSTROPHY OF rd MICE AND PHOTORECEPTORS APOPTOSIS / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the development of hereditary dystrophic retina of rd mice and photoreceptors apoptosis. Methods Retinal sections of rd mice and their controls at different ages ranging from postnatal days 5 to 40 were examined by morphological(light and electronic microscope), morphometric and TUNEL analysis. Results Compared with age-matched control mice, the retinal dystrophy of rd mice began at postnatal days 10, resulting in rapid loss of photoreceptors and reaching a peak at postnatal days 18. TUNEL postitive nucleus of photoreceptor cells emerged from postnatal days 10 and reached a peak at postnatal days 14 and 16. Ultrastructure of photoreceptor cell layer showed marked nuclear pyknotosis and chromatin margination. Apoptotic bodies of photoreceptor cells were observed.Conclusion Rd mice retina degenerated during the process of maturity. Photoreceptor cell death occurred through apoptosis.