Elemental profiles in cryosections and frozen-dried bulk specimens of the normal lens

Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis was used to obtain distribution profiles of Na, K, Cl, P and S in rapidly frozen-dried bulk specimens, and in cryosections of the normal rat lens. Na and Cl are highly concentrated in the capsule, and K and P, in the epithelial cells. Profiles of the entire radius of a lens show relatively high concentrations of K and P in the outermost cells of the lens, with decreasing concentrations through the cortex, and a minimum throughout the nuclear region. S, on the other hand, shows increasing concentrations at deeper locations, with maximum values throughout the nuclear region.