From:
Tonytclarke@aol.com
Date: 2006-05-02 18:48:43 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: new study abstracts (my questions asked on influenza,vision definitions, early wild polecat kit care
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Author wrote:
> > Albino ferrets contrary to their pigmented conspecifics show no
> > optokinetic nystagmus. Therefore, in this study motion perception
> > was compared between pigmented and albino ferrets (Mustela putorius
> > furo) trained to discriminate between coherently moving random dot
> > patterns and dynamic noise stimuli in a two-alternative forced
> > choice task. Fully coherently versus incoherently moving patterns
> > could be distinguished by ferrets of both phenotypes. Motion
> > coherence thresholds, however, were significantly higher in
> > albinos. These results indicate that albino ferrets are not motion
> > blind as could be expected from their total lack of optokinetic
> > reactions. However, they are severely impaired in global motion
> > perception.
2 definitions that may help explain some of this.
Optokinetic nystagmus is the normal or physiological nystagmus induced by the attempt to fixate objects moving rapidly across the field of vision.
Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) is a reflexive eye movement with target-following slow phases (SP) alternating with oppositely directed fast phases (FP)
Also
People with albinism suffer from impaired vision, but the degree varies greatly. While a person with albinism may suffer from a standard eye affliction like near-sightedness or far-sightedness, the biggest problem arises from a poorly-developed retina and abnormal nerve connections between the eyes and brain. These abnormalities define albinism, medically. While the effects of this condition are difficult to describe, it can be explained as seeing at a lower resolution. Additionally, most people with albinism suffer from nystagmus (a rapid, involuntary "shaking" of the eyes) which further reduces vision.
I understand that ferret albinism is not the same as human forms of which there seem to be several.
Tony
We live and learn as my ferret said when the fridge door closed behind her.
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