[Effect of visual deprivation on the development of mediator receptors in the visual system of the rat]

Effect of monocular deprivation (unilateral closure of the eye on the 11th postnatal day) and life in darkness (birth, development and killing of animals proceeded under complete exclusion of light) on the development of beta-adrenergic, serotoninergic, M-cholinergic, glutaminergic and benzodiazepin receptors in primary visual structures (visual cortex, lateral geniculate body, superior calliculi of lamina quadrigemina, retina) was studied in experiments with rats. A technique of mediators binding with ligands was used for quantitative estimation of mediator receptors. It is shown that monocular deprivation influences development of beta-adrenergic, serotoninergic and glutaminergic receptors mainly in the lateral geniculate body and retina, while life in darkness--mainly development of serotoninergic receptors in superior colliculi of lamina quadrigemina. Development of cholinergic mediator system receptors under visual deprivation is disturbed only temporarily. The detected changes in development of receptors after visual deprivation testify to the altered activity of different neuronal mediator systems in the respective visual structures.