Rods progressively escape saturation to drive visual responses in daylight conditions

Alexandra Tikidji-Hamburyan, Katja Reinhard, Riccardo Storchi, Johannes Dietter, Hartwig Seitter, Katherine E. Davis, Saad Idrees, Marion Mutter, Lauren Walmsley, Robert A. Bedford, Marius Ueffing, Petri Ala-Laurila, Timothy M. Brown, Robert J. Lucas () and Thomas A. Münch ()
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Alexandra Tikidji-Hamburyan: University of Tübingen
Katja Reinhard: University of Tübingen
Riccardo Storchi: University of Manchester
Johannes Dietter: University of Tübingen
Hartwig Seitter: University of Tübingen
Katherine E. Davis: University of Manchester
Saad Idrees: University of Tübingen
Marion Mutter: University of Tübingen
Lauren Walmsley: University of Manchester
Robert A. Bedford: University of Manchester
Marius Ueffing: University of Tübingen
Petri Ala-Laurila: University of Helsinki
Timothy M. Brown: University of Manchester
Robert J. Lucas: University of Manchester
Thomas A. Münch: University of Tübingen

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract Rod and cone photoreceptors support vision across large light intensity ranges. Rods, active under dim illumination, are thought to saturate at higher (photopic) irradiances. The extent of rod saturation is not well defined; some studies report rod activity well into the photopic range. Using electrophysiological recordings from retina and dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of cone-deficient and visually intact mice, we describe stimulus and physiological factors that influence photopic rod-driven responses. We find that rod contrast sensitivity is initially strongly reduced at high irradiances, but progressively recovers to allow responses to moderate contrast stimuli. Surprisingly, rods recover faster at higher light levels. A model of rod phototransduction suggests that phototransduction gain adjustments and bleaching adaptation underlie rod recovery. Consistently, exogenous chromophore reduces rod responses at bright background. Thus, bleaching adaptation renders mouse rods responsive to modest contrast at any irradiance. Paradoxically, raising irradiance across the photopic range increases the robustness of rod responses.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01816-6

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