Some problems involved in employing the ERG c‐wave in pharmacological experiments: conditioning in pigmented rabbits

Abstract

The large inter- and intra-individual variations in ERG c-waves have prevented the application of the component in pharmacological experiments on the retinal pigment epithelial function. We examined some of the problems involved in employing the c-wave in pharmacological experiments using rabbit retinas. 1) Under our experimental conditions, the c-wave amplitudes in some rabbits reached equilibrium under intermittent stimuli, while in others they increased with time and did not reach a constant level in 3 h. 2) The c-wave amplitudes of the right and left eyes were similar, indicating that the contralateral eye can be used as a control during local administration of drugs. 3) The c-wave amplitude under 50 lux light had smaller inter-individual variations than that in the dark. This may be a useful indicator of the retinal pigment epithelium function when drugs are administered systemically.

The multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) in the pig

“…For several years it has been the aim to find a sedative drug with the least electrophysiological influence possible (Gerritsen 1971; Sasovetz 1978; Raitta et al. 1979; Nao‐i et al. 1985; Wioland & Bonaventure 1985; Wasserschaff & Schmidt 1986; Kommonen et al.…”

“…It is well known that the choice of anaesthesia is an important factor in electrophysiological research. For several years it has been the aim to find a sedative drug with the least electrophysiological influence possible (Gerritsen 1971;Sasovetz 1978;Raitta et al 1979;Nao-i et al 1985;Wioland & Bonaventure 1985;Wasserschaff & Schmidt 1986;Kommonen et al 1988;Millar et al 1989;Vaegan et al 1990;Andreasson et al 1993). Propofole has been described and is widely used for this purpose (Tanskanen et al 1996); for that reason we decided to use this particular drug.…”