Double-label analysis of GAD- and GABA-like immunoreactivity in the rabbit retina

Abstract

Rabbits were injected intravitreally with colchicine and the retinas were subsequently processed for simultaneous visualization of GAD-like and GABA-like immunoreactivity (LIR) at the light microscopical level. The use of specific antisera from unrelated species minimized the possibility of crossreactivity between the two markers. Colocalization of GABA-LIR and GAD-LIR was observed in approximately 32% of somata on the inner border of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and roughly 15% of the somata in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). All GAD-positive cells were double labeled whereas 15% of the GABA-LIR cells in the INL and 52% of those in the GCL were negative for GAD-LIR. Both markers were seen throughout the inner plexiform layer. In addition, processes coursing through the OPL, perhaps from interplexiform cells, and horizontal cell bodies were double-labeled with these GABAergic probes.