Diurnal changes in synaptic ribbons of rod cells of the turtle

Diurnal morphological changes in synaptic ribbons of the rod cells of the turtle were revealed by electron microscopy with serial ultrathin sections. Freshwater turtles (Pseudemys) were maintained under the light-dark cycle with lights on from 0600 to 1800 hr. Retinas around the posterior pole of the eyeball were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde and 1% osmium tetroxide. In total, 124 rod cells and several hundred cone cells were observed. At 0000 (midnight), ribbons are situated close to and perpendicular to the presynaptic membrane. They show single stick-shaped profiles on thin section. From midnight toward noon, the stick-shaped ribbons grow into large multilayered ribbon complexes composed of several sticks arranged parallel to each other. Then, the ribbon complexes begin to disintegrate into irregular fragments from noon toward night. At 1900, aggregates of rounded or club-shaped ribbons are predominant.