Orthograde and retrograde axonal movement of label and transneuronal transport phenomena after intraocular injection of [3H]adenosine in a poikolotherm vertebrate (Vipera aspis).

The axoplasmic transport of [3H]adenosine (or its related compounds) has been examined radioautographically in the visual system of a poïkilotherm species (Vipera aspis) following an intraocular injection of the nucleoside. It has been found that the axonal transport of the label occurs both in the anterograde directions. Furthermore, a considerable labelling of neuronal bodies as a result of transneuronal transport of tritiated material from the optic endings has been observed, particularly in the primary optic centers. Transneuronal labelling, however, appears less intense than retrograde cell labelling.