Morphogenesis of rod cells in the retina of the albino rat: a scanning electron microscopic study.

This study presents scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observations of topographical changes that occur during morphogenesis of rod cells in the albino rat. Correlative transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was also utilized. Albino rats ranging in age from birth to three weeks were used for the study. Tissues were prepared by conventional methods for SEM and TEM. At birth, numerous irregularly arranged inner segments extend from the external surface of the sensory retina. They are spherical, smooth surfaced and possess a randomly oriented cilium. The internal morphology of these immature inner segments is comparable to that observed in other vertebrate species. Statistical analysis reveals a rapid increse in the number of rod cells during the first week. This period is characterized by the elongation of inner segments and their associated cilia. Microvilli project from the apices of Müller cells, but not from adjacent inner segments. By day 5, cilia occasionally display small bulbous outer segments. They are more numerous by day 8 and are usually eccentrically positioned at the tips of cilia. By day 11, outer segments are abundant and frequently obscure from view the underlying inner segments and associated cilia. Elongated cylindrical outer segments are present within the posterior retina at the end of the second week. However, rod cell morphogenesis lags in the peripheral retina. Topographical variations between developing photoreceptor cells in mammalian and non-mammalian retinas are discussed.