Biomaterial Database

Histopathological changes of the retina and optic nerve in the albino mutant quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). 1984

K Takatsuji, and H Ito, and M Watanabe, and M Ikushima, and A Nakamura

Histopathological changes in the retina and optic nerve in imperfect albino mutant quails with a sex-linked recessive gene were studied ontogenetically. The mutant quail showed eye enlargement 3 months after hatching. The eyes exhibited hazy corneas, lens opacities and deep anterior chambers at 18 months of age. Some ganglion cells in the retina and axons in the optic disc began to degenerate 6 months after hatching. There were many deformed or fragmented ganglion cells at 12 months of age, and axonal degeneration was observed in the optic disc. The optic disc and the retina around it became excavated. At this time, hydropic degeneration was found in the ganglion nerve fibre layer and optic nerve and a small accumulation of acid mucopolysaccharide, which was sensitive to hyaluronidase, was present in the optic disc and optic nerve. The excavation was found to be fully developed around the optic disc at 18 months and most ganglion cells showed degenerative changes. During this period, the inner plexiform and inner nuclear layers showed hydropic degeneration. At 24 months the ganglion cell and ganglion nerve fibre layers had disappeared, the thickness of the inner nuclear layer was reduced and many photoreceptor cells were totally degenerated. The optic nerve was occupied by glial cells, blood vessels and cavernous spaces in which acid mucopolysaccharide accumulated. These histopathological retinal changes in the mutant quail are very similar to those reported in experimentally induced glaucoma of other animal species and to those in human glaucoma. The usefulness of this mutant quail as an animal model for the human disease is discussed.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009154	Mutation	Any detectable and heritable change in the genetic material that causes a change in the GENOTYPE and which is transmitted to daughter cells and to succeeding generations.	Mutations
D009900	Optic Nerve	The 2nd cranial nerve which conveys visual information from the RETINA to the brain. The nerve carries the axons of the RETINAL GANGLION CELLS which sort at the OPTIC CHIASM and continue via the OPTIC TRACTS to the brain. The largest projection is to the lateral geniculate nuclei; other targets include the SUPERIOR COLLICULI and the SUPRACHIASMATIC NUCLEI. Though known as the second cranial nerve, it is considered part of the CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Cranial Nerve II,Second Cranial Nerve,Nervus Opticus,Cranial Nerve, Second,Cranial Nerves, Second,Nerve, Optic,Nerve, Second Cranial,Nerves, Optic,Nerves, Second Cranial,Optic Nerves,Second Cranial Nerves
D011784	Quail	Common name for two distinct groups of BIRDS in the order GALLIFORMES: the New World or American quails of the family Odontophoridae and the Old World quails in the genus COTURNIX, family Phasianidae.	Quails
D012160	Retina	The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent.	Ora Serrata
D012162	Retinal Degeneration	A retrogressive pathological change in the retina, focal or generalized, caused by genetic defects, inflammation, trauma, vascular disease, or aging. Degeneration affecting predominantly the macula lutea of the retina is MACULAR DEGENERATION. (Newell, Ophthalmology: Principles and Concepts, 7th ed, p304)	Degeneration, Retinal,Degenerations, Retinal,Retinal Degenerations
D003370	Coturnix	A genus of BIRDS in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES, containing the common European and other Old World QUAIL.	Japanese Quail,Coturnix japonica,Japanese Quails,Quail, Japanese,Quails, Japanese
D005901	Glaucoma	An ocular disease, occurring in many forms, having as its primary characteristics an unstable or a sustained increase in the intraocular pressure which the eye cannot withstand without damage to its structure or impairment of its function. The consequences of the increased pressure may be manifested in a variety of symptoms, depending upon type and severity, such as excavation of the optic disk, hardness of the eyeball, corneal anesthesia, reduced visual acuity, seeing of colored halos around lights, disturbed dark adaptation, visual field defects, and headaches. (Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed)	Glaucomas
D000417	Albinism	General term for a number of inherited defects of amino acid metabolism in which there is a deficiency or absence of pigment in the eyes, skin, or hair.
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia