Occurrence of calcitonin gene-related peptide in the chicken amacrine cells.

The distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-like immunoreactivity (CGRPI) in the chicken retina was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry. CGRPI was localized in the stratified amacrine cells. The terminal branching pattern of these cells was different between the central and peripheral retinal regions. Flat-mount preparations revealed these CGRPI cells to be evenly distributed in the entire retina with surprisingly rich arborization.