Effects of superior cervical ganglionectomy on choroidal melanocytes in pigmented rabbit eye

Unilateral removal of the superior cervical ganglion was performed in the pigmented rabbit. Degenerative axons which were presumed to be adrenergic were observed postoperatively in the denervated choroid. At 2-3 months after the operation, there was evidence of degeneration of the choroidal melanocytes on the denervated side. Choroidal melanocytes contained degraded granules (melanosomes) of varying degrees and occasionally presented myelin-like configuration. These results indicate the direct adrenergic innervation of choroidal melanocytes in the pigmented rabbit.