[Effect of the level of lighting on 14C-GABA efflux from the isolated retina of the frog Rana ridibunda].

Studies have been made of the effect of changes in illumination levels on 14C + GABA efflux in the isolated retina of the frog R. ridibunda. When the retina loaded with 14C-GABA is stimulated by darkness, the efflux of radioactivity immediately increases. After reaching a peak, the efflux of 14C-GABA slightly decreases attaining steady level which is higher than the level of spontaneous efflux observed during weak (approximately 0.05 lux) illumination. This high level is preserved as long as the retina remains in darkness. During illumination of the retina (transition from darkness to 60 lux), two types of response are observed. In some cases, insignificant increase of GABA efflux from the retina is followed by its rapid decrease up to the level which is observed during weak illumination. In other cases, immediately after illumination the decrease in GABA efflux takes place (in 6 experiments out of 10). In accordance with the data of Voaden [6], it is suggested that 14C + GABA is liberated from horizontal and amacrine cells. The data obtained in the present investigation are discussed in terms of Trifonov [14] and Byzov [15] hypothesis. These data confirm the idea that GABA acts as a retinal neurotransmitter in the frog.