Two isoforms of creatine kinase (CK; ATP:creatine N-phosphotransferase, E.C. 2.7.3.2), brain type (BB-CK) and mitochondrial type (MiMi-CK), but not the muscle types (MM- or hybrid MB-CK), were identified by cellulose polyacetate electrophoresis and immunoblots in retina from adult chickens. Indirect immunofluorescence labeling of cryosections of retinas revealed high concentrations of BB-CK in both rod and cone photoreceptor cells. Most of the fluorescence staining with anti-B-CK antibodies was found within the myoid and the ellipsoid portions of inner segments and the peripheral region of the outer segments. Significant staining with anti-B-CK antibodies was also found in horizontal cells and in the optical nerve fibers, with additional stratified staining in the inner plexiform layer. MiMi-CK was solely demonstrated in the ellipsoid portion of the photoreceptor cells. The presence of high concentrations of compartmentalized CK isoenzymes within photoreceptor cells (approximately equal to 30 enzyme units/mg) as well as the relatively high concentration of total creatine in these cells (approximately equal to 10-15 mM) indicates an important physiological function for CK and phosphocreatine in the energy transduction of vision.