Abstract
Summary Changes in free amino acids of the developing chicken retina were studied. All amino acid levels except GABA, glutamine, glycine and lysine decreased between the 17th and the 20th incubation days, then increased between the 20th incubation day and the 1st day after hatching. Adult levels were attained within 30 days of hatching. Taurine concentrations increased in the retina after hatching, contrasting with the post-natal decrease of this amino acid in brain and other organs. The influence of light and darkness on the developing free amino acid pattern in retina was examined. Incubation of eggs in total darkness or in continuous illumination did not affect the normal changes in amino acid levels. During the first days after hatching a significant increase in GABA content was observed in the retina of light-exposed chicks; taurine levels were increased by more than 90% in the dark-reared animals. A possible role of taurine as a synaptic transmitter or modulator in retina is discussed.
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