Origins of the electroretinogram oscillatory potentials in the rabbit retina

The electroretinogram (ERG) oscillatory potential (OP) is a high-frequency, low-amplitude potential that is superimposed on the rising phase of the b-wave. It provides noninvasive evaluation of inner retina function in vivo and is a useful tool in basic research as well as in the clinic. While the OP is widely believed to be generated mainly by activity of the inner retina, the exact underlying neural mechanisms are not well understood. We have investigated the retinal mechanisms that underlie OP generation in Dutch-belted rabbits. The OP was isolated by band-filtering (100-1000 Hz) ERG signals. We used pharmacological agents that block specific transmitter receptors or voltage-gated channels in order to examine contributions of various retinal mechanisms to OP generation. Our results show that the OP elicited by a bright brief flash can be classified into early, intermediate, and late subgroups that are likely generated mainly by photoreceptors, action-potential-independent, and action-potential-dependent mechanisms in the ON pathway of the inner retina, respectively. ON bipolar cells themselves make only a small direct contribution to OP generation, as do horizontal cells and neurons in the OFF pathway.