The action of peptides on the mudpuppy electroretinogram (ERG).

Two neuropeptide substances were applied to the mudpuppy retina while the electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded. A low concentration of somatostatin (10(-9)M) was found to be a potent agent in increasing the amplitudes of all the oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the ERG. There was no appreciable change of the threshold sensitivity or the stimulus response curve of the b-wave. The highest concentration tested (10(-6)M) reduced the first OP to about the same amplitude as at the start of the experiment and attenuated the later OPs. A decrease of the suprathreshold b-wave was induced by the highest concentrations (10(-7), 10(-6)M) of somatostatin. A low concentration of substance P (10(-11)M) selectively and differentially decreased the earlier OPs (O1O2). Higher concentrations (10(-10), 10(-9)M) diminished the earlier OPs further, reduced the later OPs and decreased the supra-threshold a- and b-waves. The results support previous suggestions that the OPs reflect activities in feedback circuits initiated by the amacrines and indicate that somatostatin and substance P through separate mechanisms seem to interact with the inhibitory neuronal circuits which have been suggested to give rise to the OPs. Secondly, in agreement with previous work, the OPs appear to have a different origin from the b-wave. Thirdly, two separate classes of amacrines, each with a different transmitter, seem to be associated with different physiological roles.