[Localization of somatostatin mRNA in the rat retina detected by in situ hybridization histochemistry].

In order to determine the localization of the mRNA encoding somatostatin in the rat retina, we studied Sprague-Dawley rats by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Radiolabelled oligodeoxyribonucleotides complementary for rat somatostatin mRNA were used in this study. Among the layers of the retina, we found specific labelling in the soma of some cells in the innermost and outermost laminae of the inner-nuclear layer and in the ganglion cell layer. These results indicate the major site of somatostatin synthesis within the rat retina.