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Pupil constriction evoked in vitro by stimulation of the oculomotor nerve in the turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

JAMES R. DEARWORTH JR ,
J.E. BRENNER ,
J.F. BLAUM ,
T.E. LITTLEFIELD ,
D.A. FINK ,
J.M. ROMANO  and
M.S. JONES
JAMES R. DEARWORTH JR*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania
J.E. BRENNER
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania
J.F. BLAUM
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania
T.E. LITTLEFIELD
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania
D.A. FINK
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania
J.M. ROMANO
Affiliation:
Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania
M.S. JONES
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacological & Physiological Science, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri
*
*Address correspondence and reprint requests to: James R. Dearworth JR., Department of Biology and Neuroscience Program, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042-1778. E-mail: dearworj@lafayette.edu
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Abstract

The pond turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans) exhibits a notably sluggish pupillary light reflex (PLR), with pupil constriction developing over several minutes following light onset. In the present study, we examined the dynamics of the efferent branch of the reflex in vitro using preparations consisting of either the isolated head or the enucleated eye. Stimulation of the oculomotor nerve (nIII) using 100-Hz current trains resulted in a maximal pupil constriction of 17.4% compared to 27.1% observed in the intact animal in response to light. When current amplitude was systematically increased from 1 to 400 μA, mean response latency decreased from 64 to 45 ms, but this change was not statistically significant. Hill equations fitted to these responses indicated a current threshold of 3.8 μA. Stimulation using single pulses evoked a smaller constriction (3.8%) with response latencies and threshold similar to that obtained using train stimulation. The response evoked by postganglionic stimulation of the ciliary nerve using 100-Hz trains was largely indistinguishable from that of train stimulation of nIII. However, application of single-pulse stimulation postganglionically resulted in smaller pupil constriction at all current levels relative to that of nIII stimulation, suggesting that there is amplification of efferent drive at the ganglion. Time constants for constrictions ranged from 88 to 154 ms with relaxations occurring more slowly at 174–361 ms. These values for timing from in vitro are much faster than the time constant 1.66 min obtained for the light response in the intact animal. The rapid dynamics of pupil constriction observed here suggest that the slow PLR of the turtle observed in vivo is not due to limitations of the efferent pathway. Rather, the sluggish response probably results from photoreceptive mechanisms or central processing.

Keywords

TurtlePupilOculomotorIn vitroTime constant
Type
Research Articles
Information
Visual Neuroscience , Volume 26 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 309 - 318
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2009

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