Abstract
Background: The retinal response to flickering stimuli (steady state ERG) recruits many retinal elements and is a sensitive indicator of early retinal dysfunction. This study reports the post‐natal maturation of the steady state ERG response in guinea pigs.Methods: The steady state ERG response to flickering stimuli (0.6 to 20 Hz) was recorded from dark adapted (more than 12 hrs) English Shorthair guinea pigs (n = 7) using flashes that produced rod and cone dominated responses. Temporal sensitivity functions and critical fusion frequencies (GFF) were derived over a range of ages from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 45.Results: Guinea pig rod and cone temporal sensitivity functions show shape characteristics and CFF similar to humans. Furthermore, the post‐natal development of the guinea pig temporal characteristics is also similar to that of humans—they are present at birth and mature rapidly post‐natally. The time‐course of CFF maturation is similar for rod and cone mediated responses.Conclusions: These data show that the temporal response and its maturation in the guinea pig retina is similar to that in humans. Therefore, we propose that the guinea pig is a particularly useful animal model to study retinal disease in early childhood.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
