Figure 4. Phototoxicity induces
apoptotic photoreceptor death. Merged images (Adobe® Photoshop®
CS3, “dissolve” option) showing the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end
labeling (TUNEL)-positive (red) and
4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-counterstained (blue)
nuclei in retinal cross sections from the dorsal (left column)
and ventral (right column) central retinas. A, B:
control animals; C-J: experimental animals
processed at increasing times ALE. C, D: 1 day;
E, F: 3 days; G, H: 7 days and I,
J: 14 days. TUNEL positive nuclei are observed in the ONL
(mainly in the dorsal retina) of the experimental animals
processed 1, 3 and 7 days ALE, but not thereafter.
Abbreviations: RGCL: retinal ganglion cell layer, IPL: inner
plexiform layer, INL: inner nuclear layer, OPL: outer plexiform
layer, ONL: outer nuclear layer, OSPL: outer segment of
photoreceptors layer. Bar=100 μm.