Is abnormal retinal development in albinism only a mammalian problem? Normality of a hypopigmented avian retina

The central retina in hypopigmented mammals is underdeveloped. In the outer retina this deficit is confined to rods. Also, many ganglion cells in temporal regions project inappropriately to the contralateral hemisphere. This study addresses the question of whether pigment-related abnormalities occur in the central retina of a non-mammal, the bird. Birds have a highly developed central retina, but unlike most mammals they do not have a significant uncrossed retinal projection. Consequently, examination of the retinae of hypopigmented birds will reveal whether there is a relationship between the two abnormalities. Also if one of the primary effects of albinism is centred on rods, then albino birds may not show a deficit, because their retinae are cone dominated. Retinae from normally pigmented and two forms of hypopigmented budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) were studied. Measurements of layer thickness, cell density and cell size were made at a range of locations in the ganglion cell layer and in the inner and the outer nuclear layers. Estimates of cone numbers were also made. Each strain of bird had an area of increased retinal layer thickness in dorso-temporal regions, but not a fovea. Although there were variations in the measurements undertaken between the strains, none were pigment related or consistent with the abnormality found in the central retina in albino mammals. Consequently, the underdevelopment of the central retina seen in hypopigmented mammals does not occur in this bird. There are two possible explanations for this result. First, normal mammalian retinal development may depend partly on time-dependent interactions in the maturation of the retinal pigment epithelium and the neural retina. Although there is a common time table for the development of the mammalian visual system when expressed in terms of the caecal period, which is between conception and eye opening, the pace of retinal development in birds is accelerated, which may alter interactions between these regions. Second, as the bird retina is cone dominated, any deficits in albino strains may be relatively minor.