Effects of lipid peroxidation on the isolated rat retina

The effects of membrane lipid peroxidation are determined in isolated albino rat retina. Lipoperoxidation induced by addition of Fe2+ + ascorbate to the perfusion liquid leads to an irreversible decrease of amplitude in the electroretinogram. The experimental model proposed here provides the possibility to monitor the survival of the retina and demonstrates that ocular lipid peroxidation very notably shortens the survival time. The specific role of the rod membranes for the excitation mechanism in the retina as revealed by these experiments is discussed.