Immunocytological localization of dopamine in the guinea pig retina

Abstract.

We examined dopaminergic neurons in the guinea pig retina; antisera against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) and an antiserum against γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were used. In the present study, two types of amacrine cells were labeled with an anti-TH antiserum. However, no DBH and PNMT immunoreactivities were seen. The type 1 cell had a larger-sized soma located in the inner nuclear layer with processes ramifying mainly in stratum 1 of the inner plexiform layer (IPL). The type 2 cell had a smaller-sized soma and processes branching in stratum 3 of the IPL. The mean densities were 56.4±11.5/mm² for the type 1 cell and 166.6±30.3/mm² for the type 2 cell. Double immunocytochemistry using an antiserum against GABA revealed that while none of the type 1 cells showed GABA immunoreactivity, all of the type 2 cells displayed GABA immunoreactivity. Our results suggest that, in the guinea pig retina, the type 1 amacrine cells are pure dopaminergic and the type 2 cells are dopaminergic elements that use GABA as their second transmitter.