The distribution of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor in bovine retina was established using a polyclonal antibody against the extracellular domain of this receptor. Different conditions of tissue fixation and development of the secondary antibody were tested. The ability of the antiserum to map precisely the receptor was obtained on fresh-frozen sections which had been treated with paraformaldehyde prior to incubation with this antiserum. Positive staining was confined mainly to the synaptic and ganglion axon layers. These results suggest that the FGF receptor might act in the transmitter stability, and the plasticity of synapses and ganglion cell axons in adult retina.