[Electron microscopic study of the choroidal melanocytes and elastic fibers]

The relationship between choroidal melanocytes and elastic fibers as well as collagen fibers was studied by electron microscopy. In pigmented rabbits (Dutch rabbits), the choroidal melanocytes were distributed mainly at the suprachoroidea and formed layers alternating with fibroblasts. The elastic fibers and oxytaran fibers were in close proximity to the melanocytes and their cytoplasmic processes aligned along the long axis of the elastic fibers. Furthermore, the bundles of the collagen fibers were engulfed by the melanocytes. The present findings suggest that the choroidal melanocytes have a close relationship with the elastic fibers, as has been reported with dermal melanocytes and elastic fibers.