The development of astrocytes in the albino rabbit retina and their relationship to retinal vasculature.

We have examined the development of astrocytes in the albino rabbit retina, using antibodies to glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and vimentin. Vimentin immunoreactive (vimentin+) astrocyte-like cells first appear at the 24th postconceptional day (24 PCD), in a pattern similar to that of the adult. GFAP immunoreactivity was first detected in astrocytes at the 29 PCD, in a similar pattern. Vessels enter the retina from 29 PCD. The presence of astrocytes in a mature distribution prior to the ingrowth of vessels indicates that astrocytes are not dependent on the vessels for their early positioning and differentiation. In contrast with the rat and cat, we found no evidence of migration of astrocytes into the rabbit retina from the optic nerve.