We present a procedure for full-field ERG recording in rabbits, based on the human ERG standards published by the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision (ISCEV). Following initial pilot experiments, six animals aged 3 months and 11 animals between 1 and 2 years were investigated. All animals displayed well detectable and reproducible separate cone and rod responses under appropriate stimulus conditions. The b-wave was smaller in young animals than in old, but there were no similar differences in the b-wave implicit times. The animals had to be lightly sedated, which was shown to have no adverse effects on the recordings. Standard deviations of normalized adult rabbit recordings were comparable to human recordings. The measurements were less precise in young animals. We suggest that our procedure is well suited for further scientific studies in this animal model.

This study shows that the mfERG technique can be used as a tool in experimental retinal research involving the rabbit eye, where retinal lesions down to at least 1 mm can be detected. One difficulty involves scattering light emanating from the relatively large optic disc and the myelinated nerve fibers, which makes the use of a mfERG system, in which the fundus can be visualized during stimulation, mandatory.

Background: Laser photocoagulation is a well established treatment for diabetic

ABSTRACT.Purpose: To investigate the contents of green-and blue-sensitive cone photoreceptors in laminated rabbit retinal transplants. Methods: Eleven rabbits each received a sheet of embryonic neuroretina into the subretinal space in one eye. Vitrectomy was used in the procedure and properly polarized flat transplants were placed on the host pigment epithelium. After 17-309 days the transplants were examined immunohistochemically with specific antibodies against COS-1 (green-sensitive cones) and OS-2 (blue-sensitive cones). Results: All grafts displayed normal lamination with well developed photoreceptor outer segments apposed to the host retinal pigment epithelium. Occasionally, rosettes were found at the transplant edges. Both COS-1 positive and OS-2 positive cones were detected. In the laminated part of the grafts, COS-1 positive cones were more numerous than OS-2 positive ones. In the rosetted parts of the transplants the relationship between the cones was reversed. Conclusion: Full-thickness embryonic rabbit retinal transplants develop into laminated retinas with well-developed photoreceptor outer segment. Both greenand blue-sensitive cone photoreceptors are present and the ratio between the two cone types is the same as in the normal adult rabbit retina.