Investigation On The Role Of Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide In The Normal Visual Development And The Forming Of Anisometropic Amblyopia

ObjectiveTo investigate the expression changes of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in visual cortex of the normal and anisometropic amblyopia kittens during development at the field of tectology and neurocyto-molecular biology, and to research the relation between VIP and plasticity of visual system. These studies offer a basis of reference in preventing and treating anisometropic amblyopia.MethodsSixteen normal kittens (about 4-week of age) were divided into two groups randomly. Eight kittens were deduced amblyopia by monocular chronic atropinization; four (2 normal and 2 amblyopia) kittens were perused in every three weeks. Changes in number and optical density of immunopositive neurons of the expression of VIP-protin and VIP-mRNA in the visual cortex area 17 were analyzed with immuno-cytochemistry, using the technique of in situ hybridization and SABC. Results were obtained from slides examined under the light microscope and by computer image analysis. Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of the visual cortex neurons, and a light microscope was used to observe the numbers and shapes of the neurons.