Developmental changes of carbonic anhydrase in the retina of the mouse: a histochemical study

In the optic cup of early mouse embryos, carbonic anhydrase activity is seen only in the pigment epithelial cells. During the late prenatal period the enzyme appears in the Müller cells, first in the perikarya. During the postnatal development the enzyme activity appears in the radial processes of the Müller cells starting at the vitreal border along with the separation of the outer retinal layers. This is followed by increased activity in the plexiform layers, presumably in the lateral processes. Carbonic anhydrase localization in pigment epithelial and Müller cells attains the adult pattern at about 16 days corresponding with the initiation of retinal function.