Roller organ cultures of the retina from postnatal rats

Whole retinas of 2-14-day-old rats were cultured in a roller device for 2-14 days. Floating retinas of 7-14-day-old rats formed hole spheroid structures (spheroids) with the wall completely retaining the linear structure and layer-by-layer cellular and fibrous architecture, including the outer nuclear, outer plexiform, inner nuclear, inner plexiform layers, layers of ganglion cells and nerve fibers. The retina obtained at earlier terms of development often formed folds, with pyknotic nuclei of dead neurons in their deep compartments. In organ cultures of the retina isolated from rats at early postnatal periods, rosettes were formed in sites of local injury to the outer nuclear layer and pigmented epithelium. Roller organ cultures can be used for in vitro studies of the development and experimental diseases of the retina.