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The fine structure of the pig's retina

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Albrecht von Graefes Archiv für klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Retinas from 3 groups of pigs were examined; three farm pigs of 2 months, nine miniature pigs of 4 to 5 months and nine slaughter house pigs of about 12 months. No ultrastructural differences were observed between these 3 groups. With the major exception that the pig's retina does not have a fovea, it was found to closely resemble that of man. The inner layers of the pig's retina tended to thicken somewhat towards the peripapillary region. The more distinctive points of the pig's retina are the following:

  1. 1.

    The relatively even distribution of cones throughout the retina with their large, polymorphous ellipsoidal mitochondria showing transversally oriented cristae.

  2. 2.

    The presence of a microtubular structure in the rod from retinas fixed with glutaraldehyde.

  3. 3.

    The impressive size of the horizontal cells with their large cytoplasmic processes.

  4. 4.

    The prominant RER and mitochondria with a granular content and scarce cristae present in the Müller cells at the inner nuclear layer level.

  5. 5.

    The presence of numerous astrocytes in the more inner layers.

  6. 6.

    The presence of capillaries in the thicker nerve fiber layer in the peripapillary region.

The pig's retina, and most notably that of the conveniantly small miniature pig, was concluded to be a suitable model for future retinal studies.

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Abbreviations

C:

cone cell

M:

Müller cell cytoplasm

mi:

mitochondria

n:

neurotubule

N:

nucleus

P:

melanin granule

r:

free ribosomes

R:

rod cell

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Eye Clinic, Geneva

    Marie Louise Beauchemin

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  1. Marie Louise Beauchemin
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Supported by SNSF grant No 3.1150.73.

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Beauchemin, M.L. The fine structure of the pig's retina. Albrecht von Graefes Arch. Klin. Ophthalmol. 190, 27–45 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00414333

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00414333

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