Physiologic and anatomic development of the photoreceptors of normally-reared and dark-reared rabbits.

The postnatal development of the rod photoreceptor of normally-reared and dark-reared pigmented rabbits was studied using physiological and anatomical methods. The late receptor potential (LRP) was recorded in vitro and the threshold and maximum amplitude determined. The same specimens used in the electrophysiological studies were then prepared for microscopy, and rod cell outer and inner segment dimensions and photoreceptor spacing were determined. In the light-reared animals a small LRP was first recorded at 5 days, but only at very high stimulus intensities. Thereafter, there was a rapid decrease in the threshold and an increase in the amplitude of the LRP. The threshold and amplitude of the LRP reached adult values at 14 days. Of the anatomical parameters, maturation of inter-receptor spacing (14 days) is clearly associated with the attainment of the adult LRP amplitude levels. Outer segment length was also adultlike by 14 days of age and thus paralleled physiological maturity of the photoreceptor. Changes over time in the mean diameter and length of rod cell inner segments (adultlike at 21 days) follows the pattern of ontogenetic maturation of the LRP. These findings imply a close relationship during ontogeny between the LRP and development of the outer segment. In dark-reared pups there is a delay in the maturation of the photoreceptor mosaic, but by 4 weeks of age, physiological characteristics of the photoreceptor are adultlike.