Summary
The drone retina is composed of two types of cells: the photoreceptors in which no glycogen has been detected by electron microscopy and the glial cells which have abundant glycogen stores. 15 min light stimulation of the retina of intact drones caused a 33% decrease of the glycogen content, which recovered with more prolonged stimulation. Photostimulation of the retina for more than 15 min led to an increase of incorporation of3H-glucose into glycogen. Since apparently both synthesis and degradation increase (when stimulation lasts for more than 15 min) the results demonstrate an increase of glycogen turnover.
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Evêquoz, V., Stadelmann, A. & Tsacopoulos, M. The effect of light on glycogen turnover in the retina of the intact honeybee drone (Apis mellifera). J. Comp. Physiol. 150, 69–75 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00605289
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00605289