Effect of azide on the ERG of the isolated mammalian retina

Azide, which is known to affect the pigment epithelium strongly may be assumed to cause damage to the receptors, which are functionally connected to the pigment epithelium. To check this hypothesis the effect of azide on the ERG was investigated. An isolated retina preparation was used as in this preparation the P III component, which contains considerable receptor contribution, can be isolated. In 2 series of experiments the effects of azide on the P III and the complete ERG were investigated. Depending on the concentration azide was shown to abolish the b-wave, to cause delay and amplitude diminution of the P III and enhance a positive component in the off-effect. A number of plausible sites of origin of these azide effects on the ERG changes are discussed.