Outer segment production and removal in the degenerating retina of the dystrophic rat.

The production of rod outer segment material and its fate in the retina of the dystrophic rat was studied by autoradiographic technique. The pigment epithelium of the dystrophic rat shows an inability to remove its rod outer segment material. By 36 days of age, photoreceptor outer segment production in the dystrophic rat gradually ceases, although uptake of amino acids by the inner segment still appears normal. The first outer segment material which the developing dystrophic rat produces is still adjacent to the pigment epithelium 120 days later. Subsequently produced outer segment material is removed first apparently, suggesting that the removal of this material may be through the inner retina.