Name: using the electroretinogram to assess function in the rodent retina and the protective effects of remote limb ischemic preconditioning
Uploaded: 2015-06-09T14:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using the Electroretinogram to Assess Function in the Rodent Retina and the Protective Effects of Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning at JoVE.com

The authors are grateful for the assistance of Mrs. Sharon Spana in rodent monitoring, handling and experimentation. PhD funding support has been provided by University of Sydney and Australian Research Centre for Excellence in Vision.

This protocol follows the animal care guidelines of University of Sydney.
1. Making Electrodes
<ol>
	<li>Construct the positive electrode (the one which will contact the cornea) from a short (5 cm) length of platinum wire 1-2 mm in diameter. Fashion it into a loop a few mm in diameter. Connect this loop to a conventional lead, long enough to reach the input stage of your amplifier (see Figure 4).</li>
	<li>Construct the negative electrode (which will go in the animal&#8217;s...

<ol>
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V., Fortune, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ganglion+cell+contributions+to+the+rat+full-field+electroretinogram.">Ganglion cell contributions to the rat full-field electroretinogram.</a> Journal of Physiology-London. 555 (1), 153-173 (2004).</li><li>Fortune, B., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Selective+ganglion+cell+functional+loss+in+rats+with+experimental+glaucoma.">Selective ganglion cell functional loss in rats with experimental glaucoma.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 45 (6), 1854-1862 (2004).</li><li>Alarcon-Martinez, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Short+and+long+term+axotomy-induced+ERG+changes+in+albino+and+pigmented+rats.">Short and long term axotomy-induced ERG changes in albino and pigmented rats.</a> Molecular Vision. 15 (254-255), 2373-2383 (2009).</li><li>Lyubarsky, A. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functionally+rodless+mice:+transgenic+models+for+the+investigation+of+cone+function+in+retinal+disease+and+therapy.">Functionally rodless mice: transgenic models for the investigation of cone function in retinal disease and therapy.</a> Vision Research. 42 (4), 401-415 (2002).</li><li>Bush, R. A., Sieving, P. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> A PROXIMAL RETINAL COMPONENT IN THE PRIMATE PHOTOPIC ERG A-WAVE. 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C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Aerobic+Exercise+Protects+Retinal+Function+and+Structure+from+Light-Induced+Retinal+Degeneration.">Aerobic Exercise Protects Retinal Function and Structure from Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration.</a> Journal of Neuroscience. 34 (7), 2406-2412 (2014).</li><li>Grimm, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=HIF-1-induced+erythropoietin+in+the+hypoxic+retina+protects+against+light-induced+retinal+degeneration.">HIF-1-induced erythropoietin in the hypoxic retina protects against light-induced retinal degeneration.</a> Nature Medicine. 8 (7), 718-724 (2002).</li><li>Weymouth, A. E., Vingrys, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Rodent+electroretinography:+Methods+for+extraction+and+interpretation+of+rod+and+cone+responses.">Rodent electroretinography: Methods for extraction and interpretation of rod and cone responses.</a> Progress in Retinal and Eye Research. 27 (1), 1-44 (2008).</li><li>Bayer, A. U., Cook, P., Brodie, S. E., Maag, K. P., Mittag, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Evaluation+of+different+recording+parameters+to+establish+a+standard+for+flash+electroretinography+in+rodents.">Evaluation of different recording parameters to establish a standard for flash electroretinography in rodents.</a> Vision Research. 41 (17), 2173-2185 (2001).</li><li>Pugh, E. N., Lamb, T. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=AMPLIFICATION+AND+KINETICS+OF+THE+ACTIVATION+STEPS+IN+PHOTOTRANSDUCTION.">AMPLIFICATION AND KINETICS OF THE ACTIVATION STEPS IN PHOTOTRANSDUCTION.</a> Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. 1141 (2-3), 111-149 (1993).</li><li>Breton, M. E., Schueller, A. W., Lamb, T. D., Pugh, E. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ANALYSIS+OF+ERG+A-WAVE+AMPLIFICATION+AND+KINETICS+IN+TERMS+OF+THE+G-PROTEIN+CASCADE+OF+PHOTOTRANSDUCTION.">ANALYSIS OF ERG A-WAVE AMPLIFICATION AND KINETICS IN TERMS OF THE G-PROTEIN CASCADE OF PHOTOTRANSDUCTION.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 35 (1), 295-309 (1994).</li><li>Mizota, A., Adachi-Usami, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+body+temperature+on+electroretinogram+of+mice.">Effect of body temperature on electroretinogram of mice.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 43 (12), 3754-3757 (2002).</li><li>Szabo-Salfay, O., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+electroretinogram+and+visual+evoked+potential+of+freely+moving+rats.">The electroretinogram and visual evoked potential of freely moving rats.</a> Brain Research Bulletin. 56 (1), 7-14 (2001).</li><li>Charng, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Conscious+Wireless+Electroretinogram+and+Visual+Evoked+Potentials+in+Rats.">Conscious Wireless Electroretinogram and Visual Evoked Potentials in Rats.</a> Plos One. 8 (9), (2013).</li><li>Galambos, R., Juhasz, G., Kekesi, A. K., Nyitrai, G., Szilagyi, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NATURAL+SLEEP+MODIFIES+THE+RAT+ELECTRORETINOGRAM.">NATURAL SLEEP MODIFIES THE RAT ELECTRORETINOGRAM.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 91 (11), 5153-5157 (1994).</li><li>Galambos, R., Szabo-Salfay, O., Szatmar, E., Szilagyi, N., Juhasz, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sleep+modifies+retinal+ganglion+cell+responses+in+the+normal+rat.">Sleep modifies retinal ganglion cell responses in the normal rat.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 98 (4), 2083-2088 (2001).</li><li>Guarino, I., Loizzo, S., Lopez, L., Fadda, A., Loizzo, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+chronic+implant+to+record+electroretinogram,+visual+evoked+potentials+and+oscillatory+potentials+in+awake,+freely+moving+rats+for+pharmacological+studies.">A chronic implant to record electroretinogram, visual evoked potentials and oscillatory potentials in awake, freely moving rats for pharmacological studies.</a> Neural Plasticity. 11 (3-4), 241-250 (2004).</li><li>Huang, J. C., Salt, T. E., Voaden, M. J., Marshall, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=NON-COMPETITIVE+NMDA-RECEPTOR+ANTAGONISTS+AND+ANOXIC+DEGENERATION+OF+THE+ERG+B-WAVE+IN-VITRO.">NON-COMPETITIVE NMDA-RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS AND ANOXIC DEGENERATION OF THE ERG B-WAVE IN-VITRO.</a> Eye (London). 5 (4), 476-480 (1991).</li><li>Sasovetz, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=.">.</a> KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE - EFFECTIVE GENERAL ANESTHETIC FOR USE IN ELECTRORETINOGRAPHY. Annals of Ophthalmology. 10 (11), 1510-1514 (1978).</li><li>Mojumder, D. K., Wensel, T. 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P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ACUTE+REVERSIBLE+LENS+OPACITY+-+CAUSED+BY+DRUGS,+COLD,+ANOXIA,+ASPHYXIA,+STRESS,+DEATH+AND+DEHYDRATION.">ACUTE REVERSIBLE LENS OPACITY - CAUSED BY DRUGS, COLD, ANOXIA, ASPHYXIA, STRESS, DEATH AND DEHYDRATION.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 10 (1), 19 (1970).</li><li>Calderone, L., Grimes, P., Shalev, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ACUTE+REVERSIBLE+CATARACT+INDUCED+BY+XYLAZINE+AND+BY+KETAMINE-XYLAZINE+ANESTHESIA+IN+RATS+AND+MICE.">ACUTE REVERSIBLE CATARACT INDUCED BY XYLAZINE AND BY KETAMINE-XYLAZINE ANESTHESIA IN RATS AND MICE.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 42 (4), 331-337 (1986).</li><li>Behn, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dark+adaptation+is+faster+in+pigmented+than+albino+rats.">Dark adaptation is faster in pigmented than albino rats.</a> Documenta Ophthalmologica. 106 (2), 153-159 (2003).</li><li>Sugawara, T., Sieving, P. A., Bush, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quantitative+relationship+of+the+scotopic+and+photopic+ERG+to+photoreceptor+cell+loss+in+light+damaged+rats.">Quantitative relationship of the scotopic and photopic ERG to photoreceptor cell loss in light damaged rats.</a> Experimental Eye Research. 70 (5), 693-705 (2000).</li><li>Machida, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=P23H+rhodopsin+transgenic+rat:+Correlation+of+retinal+function+with+histopathology.">P23H rhodopsin transgenic rat: Correlation of retinal function with histopathology.</a> Investigative Ophthalmology &amp; Visual Science. 41 (10), 3200-3209 (2000).</li><li>Brandli, A., Stone, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Remote+Ischemia+Influences+the+Responsiveness+of+the+Retina.">Remote Ischemia Influences the Responsiveness of the Retina.</a> Observations in the Rat. 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The dark-adapted flash ERG method described above is a reliable method for assessing retinal function in rats. Both the a-wave and b-wave were reduced by light damage. Remote ischemic preconditioning mitigated light damage-induced reductions in the a-wave and b-wave. This preservation of retinal function suggests that remote ischemic preconditioning has induced neuroprotection, resembling other forms of protective preconditioning such as hypoxia, ischemia and exercise8-10. The ERG signal recorded is determined...

The ERG is an electrical potential generated by the retina in response to light, and recorded from the corneal surface of the eye. When conditions of recording are managed carefully, the ERG can be used in a variety of ways to assess retinal function. Here we described how to record the &#8216;flash ERG&#8217;, the potential generated when the retina is exposed to a brief, bright flash presented in a Ganzfeld background. The Ganzfeld disperses the light homogenously and the flash of light reaches the whole retina approximately uniformly. If the retina is dark adapted before recording, and the dark-adaptation is maintained as the animal is prepared for recording, the ERG obtained is generated by both rod and cone photoreceptors.
The dark-adapted flash ERG has a characteristic waveform, which has been analysed in two ways. First, early and late components of the ERG waveform have been distinguished, and related to the sequence of neuronal activation in the retina. The earliest component is a short-latency negative-going potential, the a-wave (Figure 1). This is followed by a positive-going potential, called the b-wave. The rising phase of the b-wave shows oscillations, which are considered a separate component (oscillatory potentials or OPs). The a-wave is considered to be generated by photoreceptors, the b-wave by cells of the inner nuclear layer, and the OPs by amacrine cells1.
Based on the stimulus strength, responses to very dim flashes termed the scotopic threshold response are possible. The scotopic threshold response is understood to be generated from the retinal ganglion cells2-4. Second, the flash ERG can be separated by light adaptation, or by a two flash protocol described below, into rod- and cone-driven components. Under photopic conditions, the a-wave is not detectable in rats, because the cone population is low, but OPs and a b-wave are clear5. In primates, whose retinas have higher cone populations, both rod- and cone- pathways generate a detectable a-wave6.
Two useful measures often extracted from the flash ERG are the amplitudes of the a- and b-waves, measured as in Figure 1, with typical flash responses shown in Figure 2. When the photoreceptor population is reduced, for example by exposure to damagingly bright light, all components of the ERG are reduced. Neuroprotective interventions, such as remote ischemic preconditioning (RIP), can be validated by the preservation of the amplitudes of the a- and b-waves (Figure 3). In summary, the analysis of the ERG enables comparisons between healthy, light damaged and neuroprotected retina.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>PC computer</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Powerlab, 4 channel acquistion hardware</td>
			<td>AD Instruments</td>
			<td>PL 35044</td>
			<td>Acquistion of ERG</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Animal Bio Amp</td>
			<td>AD Instruments</td>
			<td>FE 136</td>
			<td>Amplifier for ERG</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lab chart</td>
			<td>AD Instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Signal collection software</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ganzfield</td>
			<td>Photometric solutions</td>
			<td>FS-250A</td>
			<td>Light stimulus</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ganzfield operating system</td>
			<td>Photometric solutions</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Research Radiometer</td>
			<td>International light technologies</td>
			<td>ILT-1700</td>
			<td>calibrate light series</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lux meter</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>LX-1010B&#160;</td>
			<td>check red light illumanation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Excel</td>
			<td>microsoft</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lead wires</td>
			<td>AD Instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Connect postive, negative ground electrodes to amplifier</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Lead wires -aligator</td>
			<td>AD Instruments</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>ground ganzfield and acquistion hardware to computer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Platinum wire 95%</td>
			<td>A&#38;E metals</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>postive electrode</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mouth electrode Ag/AgCl Pellet</td>
			<td>SDR</td>
			<td>E205</td>
			<td>negative electode</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>26 gauge needle</td>
			<td>BD</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>ground electode</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water pump</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Water bath</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tubing</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Homeothermic blanket system with flexible probe</td>
			<td>Harvard Appartus</td>
			<td>507222F</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Atropine 1% w/v</td>
			<td>Bausch &#38; Lomb</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>topical mydriasis</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Proxmethycaine 0.5% w/v</td>
			<td>Bausch &#38; Lomb</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>topical anaesthetic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Visco tears eye drops</td>
			<td>Novartis</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>carbomer polymer</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Thread</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>retract eye lid</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tweezers</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Reusable adhesive</td>
			<td>Blu tac</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Dim red headlamp. Affix electrodes</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Absorbent bedding</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ketamil - ketamine 100 mg/ml - 50 ml</td>
			<td>Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>dissociative</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Xylium - Xylazine 100 mg/ml - 50 ml</td>
			<td>Troy Laboratories Pty Ltd</td>
			<td></td>
			<td>muscle relaxant</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Scale</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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using the electroretinogram to assess function in the rodent retina and the protective effects of remote limb ischemic preconditioning

The ERG is the sum of all retinal activity. The ERG is usually recorded from the cornea, which acts as an antenna that collects and sums signals from the retina. The ERG is a sensitive measure of changes in retinal function that are pan-retinal, but is less effective for detecting damage confined to a small area of retina. In the present work we describe how to record the &#8216;flash&#8217; ERG, which is the potential generated when the retina is exposed to a brief light flash. We describe methods of anaesthesia, mydriasis and corneal management during recording; how to keep the retina dark adapted; electrode materials and placement; the range and calibration of stimulus energy; recording parameters and the extraction of data. We also describe a method of inducing ischemia in one limb, and how to use the ERG to assess the effects of this remote-from-the-retina ischemia on retinal function after light damage. A two-flash protocol is described which allows isolation of the cone-driven component of the dark-adapted ERG, and thereby the separation of the rod and cone components. Because it can be recorded with techniques that are minimally invasive, the ERG has been widely used in studies of the physiology, pharmacology and toxicology of the retina. We describe one example of this usefulness, in which the ERG is used to assess the function of the light-damaged retina, with and without a neuroprotective intervention; preconditioning by remote ischemia.

The protocol can be used to measure visual function of rodent retina in vivo. The a-wave, a measure of photoreceptor function, and the b-wave, a measure of inner retina function, are annotated in Figure 1.
The rod-dominated ERG signal increases with the increasing light stimulus, as shown in Figure 2A. The a-wave becomes apparent at ~0.4 log scot cd.s.m-2 and the amplitude of the a-wave increases until saturation at 2.5 log scot cd.s.m...

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Using the Electroretinogram to Assess Function in the Rodent Retina and the Protective Effects of Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning

The electroretinogram (ERG) is an electrical potential generated by the retina in response to light. This paper describes how to use the ERG to assess retinal function, in dark-adapted rats, and how it can be can be used to assess a neuroprotective intervention, in the present case remote ischemic preconditioning.

The ERG is the sum of all retinal activity. The ERG is usually recorded from the cornea, which acts as an antenna that collects and sums signals from the ...

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