Light activation of the dopaminergic system occurs after eye-opening in the mouse retina

The neuromodulator dopamine plays a significant role in light adaptation, eye growth, and modulation of neuronal circuitry the retina. Dopaminergic amacrine cells adult retina release response to stimulation, however, light-induced activity these during postnatal development is not known. We assessed dopaminergic pulse C57BL/6 wild-type animals across various ages. Expression tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was apparent from day 3 (P3) restricted dorso-temporal region; by P8 TH+ were uniformly distributed TH cell density increased until then markedly decreased P10 remain at this into adulthood. Light-induced c-fos expression observed all light-pulsed retinae, no ever found be co-localised with prior P12. At P14, one after opening, 100% maintained for older ages analysed. Dopamine its primary metabolite DOPAC measured vitreous P8-P30. Both analytes ages, difference concentration between dark only P30. significantly P16, amplitude over time. Our data suggests that activation primarily driven classical photoreceptors eye-opening.