[Interhemispheric connections in the visual cortex of cats reared with bilateral strabismus]

We have determined the spatial distribution of retrograde labelled callosal cells after microiontophoretic horseradish peroxidase injections into the single cortical columns of area 17, 18 in cats reared with bilateral convergent strabismus. The obtained strabismus angle was in the range 10-35 degrees. The zone of labelled cells was located asymmetrically in respect to location of injected column in opposite hemisphere. Some cells were revealed in the transition zone 17/18 and their retinotopic coordinates corresponded to the injected column, as was shown in intact cats. Other labelled cells were located in areas 17, 18, in clusters approximately in 1000 mkm from marginal clusters of transition zone. Analysis of labeling in lateral geniculate nucleus has shown that most of the injected columns were driven by ipsilateral eye. The data obtained may be interpreted as evidence of eye-specificity of monosynaptic callosal connections. The functional role in such connections changes in cats with bilateral strabismus is discussed.