Changes of cytochrome oxidase activity in the rat subcortical visual centers after unilateral eye enucleation

Histochemical densitometric measurements of cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity in the dorsal and ventral lateral geniculate nuclei (LGNd and LGNv) and the superficial gray stratum of the superior colliculus (SC) were done between 2 and 12 weeks after unilateral enucleation in the adult albino rat. This deafferentation resulted in a transient, slight but statistically significant decrease in CO activity in the contralateral LGNd and LGNv. Whereas in the contralateral SC, a marked reduction in CO activity was observed, and this persisted over the postoperative periods studied. The regional difference in the recovery pattern of CO activity were discussed from the aspect of synaptic reorganization.