Electroretinographic changes in aged pigeons.

V Porciatti; W Hodos; G Signorini; F Bramanti

doi:10.1016/0042-6989(91)90007-r

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Electroretinographic changes in aged pigeons.

V Porciatti·W Hodos·G Signorini·F Bramanti

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Abstract

Photopic electroretinograms, either to full-field light flashes (FERGs) or to contrast-reversal of square-wave gratings (PERGs) have been recorded in pigeons aged 2 years old (n = 5) and 10 years old (n = 5). Mydriatic pupil diameter, ophthalmoscopic appearance of the retinal fundus and optic media, and refractive state were comparable in the two groups. V/log I functions of individual FERG components (a-wave, b-wave and oscillatory potentials) displayed significantly lower slopes in the old birds than in the young, which suggests a reduction in retinal gain. PERG amplitude also was significantly lower in the older birds over a wide range of spatial frequencies (0.2-8.8 c/deg). Estimated visual acuity based on the extrapolated high-frequency cut off was 18 c/deg in the younger birds and 7.8 c/deg in the older birds. These results are in agreement with psychophysical data and retinal age-related losses in visual acuity, photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells. Since these findings are comparable to those reported for humans, the results suggest that pigeons may serve as a useful model for human visual aging.

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Aging Animals Columbidae Electroretinography Female Light Male Pattern Recognition, Visual Psychophysics Retina Visual Acuity Journal Article Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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V Porciatti, W Hodos, G Signorini, F Bramanti. 1991. Electroretinographic changes in aged pigeons.. https://doi.org/10.1016/0042-6989(91)90007-r

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