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Spontaneous corneal degeneration in the rat
R W Bellhorn1, G E Korte, D Abrutyn
1Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
Laboratory Animal Science
|February 1, 1988
Summary
Researchers identified superficial punctate opacities in rat corneas, characterized by subepithelial granules. This condition, termed rat keratopathy, differs from human granular dystrophy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Veterinary Pathology
- Corneal Diseases
Background:
- Superficial punctate opacities are observed in the cornea.
- These opacities can affect the palpebral aperture region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the nature of superficial punctate opacities in rat corneas.
- To compare the findings in Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats with Lewis rats.
Main Methods:
- Slit-lamp biomicroscopy to localize opacities.
- Electron microscopy to examine granular structures at the stromal-epithelial interface.
- Histochemical analysis for comparison with human conditions.
Main Results:
- Opacities localized to the subepithelial corneal stroma in Sprague-Dawley and Wistar rats, but not Lewis rats.
- Electron microscopy revealed 0.1-2.0 micron granules composed of amorphous material and filaments.
- Larger granules with layered rings were observed adjacent to the epithelial basement membrane.
Conclusions:
- A distinct form of rat keratopathy was identified, characterized by subepithelial granular deposits.
- This condition shares some morphological similarities with human granular dystrophy (Groenouw's Type I) but is histochemically distinct.