Ultrastructural changes in the receptor parts of retinal rods in experimental alloxan-induced diabetes in rabbits.

Mature rabbits were administered a single dose of alloxan at the dose 100 mg/kg b.m. After 3 and 6 weeks and after 3 and 6 months, the samples of the retina were taken from the areas immediate to the papilla of the optic nerve. Ultrathin sections were dyed according to the Reynold's method, and the receptive parts of the rods were examined under electron microscope BS-500 Tesla. After 6 weeks following alloxan administration, distinct morphological changes in the form of enlargement of certain discs in the receptive parts of rod cells were observed. After 3 months the majority of the discs was damaged, and after 6 months only single, quite well preserved rod cells were found to be present in the retina.