Release pattern of endogenous dopamine in teleost retinae during light adaptation and pharmacological stimulation

The release of endogenous dopamine from teleost retinae was studied using high-performance-liquid-chromatography and electrochemical detection. Dopamine was measured in superfusates of isolated retinae after stimulation with flickering light as well as in the presence of GABA, L-glutamate, kainate or taurine. The effect of the receptor antagonists bicuculline, picrotoxin and kynurenic acid was also tested in retinae kept in the dark. We report a low level, basal release of dopamine in the dark (20 pg x 10 min-1/retina), which is transiently increased by stimulation with flickering light. This light evoked release of dopamine is inhibited by GABA and L-glutamate, whilst antagonists of these retinal transmitters stimulate release in the dark.