Figure 2. The Content of L-Dopa in Pigmented and Albino Retinas after Birth.

To better illustrate the very rapid initial changes in L-Dopa concentrations in pigmented retinas that occur postnatally, the L-Dopa values are plotted on a log-transformed scale for postnatal age. L-Dopa content of individual samples of pigmented retina are represented by blue circles. The pink circles are the L-Dopa values obtained for individual samples of albino retinas. The solid lines obtained by non-parametric smoothing reflect temporal trends in the L-Dopa values for pigmented eyes (blue line) and for albino retinas (pink line). The content of L-Dopa in pigmented retinas rises throughout the period of postnatal retinal development and reaches maximum values by 27.5 days and then declines. Values were equivalent for albino and pigmented eyes on the day of birth (P0.5). After that, L-Dopa was detectable in most but not all albino retinas but content declined throughout postnatal retinal development rather than increased with postnatal age as occurred in the pigmented retina.