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Different types of visual cells in the photoreceptor layer of the retinae of the treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) as revealed by scanning microscopy
- School of Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- School of Biomedical Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- Hong Kong College of Technology, Shatin, Hong Kong
open access
Abstract
Background: The retinae of treeshrew have never been evaluated by scanning
electron microscopic studies.
Materials and methods: This work described the visual cells in the photoreceptor
layer of the retinae of treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) living on the high
plateau of Yunnan, China, via scanning electron microscopy.
Results: Results indicated five morphologically different types of cones, two of
which contain oil droplets in their inner segments. To our knowledge, no prior
studies have reported oil droplets in the visual cells of higher mammals, only in
lower vertebrate and primitive mammals. In addition, this study revealed one type
of degenerative visual cell without outer segments.
Conclusions: The findings signal the needs for additional studies to understand
the physiological functions and phylogenetic relationships of the diversity of visual
cells in this group of mammal.
Abstract
Background: The retinae of treeshrew have never been evaluated by scanning
electron microscopic studies.
Materials and methods: This work described the visual cells in the photoreceptor
layer of the retinae of treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) living on the high
plateau of Yunnan, China, via scanning electron microscopy.
Results: Results indicated five morphologically different types of cones, two of
which contain oil droplets in their inner segments. To our knowledge, no prior
studies have reported oil droplets in the visual cells of higher mammals, only in
lower vertebrate and primitive mammals. In addition, this study revealed one type
of degenerative visual cell without outer segments.
Conclusions: The findings signal the needs for additional studies to understand
the physiological functions and phylogenetic relationships of the diversity of visual
cells in this group of mammal.
Keywords
retina, Tupaia belangeri, treeshrew, cones, rods, scanning electron microscopy
Title
Different types of visual cells in the photoreceptor layer of the retinae of the treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) as revealed by scanning microscopy
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
798-804
Published online
2022-11-29
Page views
686
Article views/downloads
419
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2023;82(4):798-804.
Keywords
retina
Tupaia belangeri
treeshrew
cones
rods
scanning electron microscopy
Authors
R.S.Y. Cheng
M.S.M. Wai
G.C.T. Leung
T.C.H. Chow
W.W. Sze-To
D.T. Yew
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