Normal parameters of the full field ERG recorded with bipolar electrodes in Cynomolgus Macaque (Macaque fascicularis)

Abstract

Purpose : Cynomolgus Macaque (CM) plays an important role as an experimental subject in studies of visual abnormalities and development of potential retinal therapeutics. At the same time normal parameters of its full field electroretinograms (ERG) recorded with bipolar Burian-Allen electrodes have not been reported. We determined the parameters of full field ERG recorded in CM with bipolar Burian-Allen electrodes following the current standards of the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision.

Methods : Twenty male and female adult CM were used in this study. Each animal/eye had a full ophthalmological exam and retinal imaging with optical coherence tomography to ensure that there were no anomalies that might impact retinal function. The ERG sessions were carried out under the dim red light conditions. Full-field stimulation was produced with a custom made Ganzfeld stimulator. A Diagnosys LLC (Lowell, MA) Espion workstation controlled the stimulator and acquired the signals. ERGs were recorded with bipolar Burian-Allen electrodes (Hansen Labs, Coralwille, IA). The intensities of flash stimuli used (cd s m^-2) were: 0.01, 3 and 10 dark-adapted; 3 and 10 light-adapted.

Results : We obtained the following normal values for the ERG components (adaptation state, flash intensity, component, amplitude in mV, (standard deviation)): dark, 0.01, rod b-wave, 30 (13.1); dark, 3, a-wave, 48.9 (19.8); dark, 3, b-wave, 126 (29.5); dark, 10, a-wave, 89.4 (31.4); dark, 10, b-wave, 147.7 (34.8); light, 3, a-wave, 16.4 (4.9); light, 3, b-wave, 57.3 (16.6); light, 10, a-wave, 30 (9.8); light, 10, b-wave, 61 (17.6).

Conclusions : We determined normal values of ERG components in the CM thus establishing the baseline for other researchers interested in using ERG as a means of assessing retinal function in Macaque fascicularis.

This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.