Displaced retinal ganglion cells in the Chinese hamster.

The size, number, distribution and dendritic morphology of displaced retinal ganglion cells (DGCs) in normal Chinese hamsters were investigated using horseradish peroxidase. The diameters of DGC soma ranged from 4 to 23 microns (mean 11.7 microns). The number of DGCs ranged from 104 to 453 (mean 249) and constituted under 1% of total retinal ganglion cells. DGCs were found in all retinal regions, but more frequently in the lower temporal periphery. Two types of DGCs were observed, one with a small to medium soma (< 18 microns in diameter) and a small dendritic field (< 100 microns in diameter), and the other with a large soma (> or = 18 microns in diameter) and a large dendritic field (> or = 100 microns in diameter). DGCs in the Chinese hamster may be developmental errors or misplaced ganglion cells.