OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in the membrane properties and synaptic stability of the rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) during postnatal development.

METHODSWhole-cell patch-clamp technique was used to record the action potentials (AP) and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSC) of SD rat RGCs at postnatal days 7, 14 and 40. The active and passive membrane properties and the synaptic stability (measured by the amplitude, frequency, rise time and decay time of mEPSC) of the RGCs were analyzed using Patchmaster software.

RESULTSComparison of the RGCs in SD rats across different postnatal ages revealed significant changes in the electrophysiological characteristics of the RGCs during postnatal development. The discharge rate was significantly greater while the AP half-peak width was significantly smaller at postnatal day 15 (P15) than at P7 ( < 0.01), but were both similar between P15 and P40 (=0.086); in terms of the passive membrane properties, the membrane time constant gradually decreased during the development. The frequency of mEPSCs increased significantly over time during postnatal development ( < 0.01), but was similar between P15 and P40 rats.

CONCLUSIONSIn SD rats, the membrane properties and synaptic stability of the RGCs undergo alterations following a specific pattern, which highlights a critical period where distinct changes occur in the electrophysiological characteristics of RGCs, followed by gradual stabilization over time. Such changes in the electrophysiological characteristics represent the basic characteristics of RGCs for visual signal processing, and understanding of this mechanism may provide insights into the exact role of the RGC in visual information processing.