Perinatal hypoxia induces subsequent retinal degeneration in the offspring of ovoviviparous fish, Xiphophorous maculates.

OBJECTIVE

This experiment evaluated the perinatal hypoxic effect on the retina of offspring of the ovoviviparous fish.

METHODS

The ovoviviparous fish Xiphophorous maculates was used for the experiment.

METHODS

The mothers were kept in a hypoxic environment of 3.5% oxygen for 6 h, starting 30 h before hatching. Subsequently, the retinae of the offspring were fixed, sectioned at 6 microm and evaluated microscopically from the age of 1 to 35 days.

RESULTS

Degeneration of the outer nuclear layer of the retina was noted on the 3rd day and severe retinal degeneration was observed on the 35th day. Immunocytochemistry confirmed apoptosis by TUNEL reaction. There was no difference in neovascularization, as revealed by vascular endothelial growth factor, between controls (group 1) and hypoxic fish (group 2).

CONCLUSIONS

Perinatal hypoxia could have long-lasting effects on the central nervous system in some species.