Fluorescence and electron microscopical observations on the amine-accumulating neurons of the cebus monkey retina

Abstract

The organization of the Cebus monkey retina was analysed after the intraocular injection of 5,6‐dihydroxytryptamine. This amine was taken up not only by the previously known dopaminergic neurons, but also by a set of indoleamine‐accumulating neurons, whose processes are confined to the inner plexiform layer. The synaptic contacts of the dopaminergic neurons were analysed in the electron microscope after the processes of the indoleamine‐accumulating neurons were destroyed by the intrvitreal injection of the neurotoxic indoleamine, 5,7‐dihydroxytryptamine. The subsequent injection of 5,6‐dihydroxytryptamine induces certain changes in the dopaminergic neurons which accumulate the substance: electron‐dense cores appear in the synaptic vesicles, and increased electron‐density of mitochondrial and cellular membranes is often observed. The dopaminergic neurons were found to be presynaptic to amacrine cell perikarya and processes in the inner plexiform layer. In the outer plexiform layer they were presynaptic to both bipolar and horizontal cells, but they did not contact photoreceptors. The dopaminergic neurons received synapses only in the inner plexiform layer, from amacrine cell processes. It is inferred that in Cebus most dopaminergic neurons belong to a special class of retinal neuron, the interplexiform cells, which appear to transmit information centrifugally within the retina, from the inner to the outer plexiform layers. There are considerable similarities between the synaptology of the dopaminergic interplexiform neurons in the Cebus monkey and the goldfish retina, and the function of interplexiform neurons may therefore be similar in these two species.