The Elimination of Red Cells from the Anterior Chamber in Vervet Monkeys (Cercopithecus Ethiops)

Abstract

The elimination of ⁵¹Cr-labeled red cells from the anterior chamber was compared with that of ¹²⁵I-labeled albumin in in vitro and in vivo experiments. A reservoir was used in the in vitro experiments to give an inflow into the anterior chamber of about 5 µl per minute. The concentration of labeled material in the anterior chamber was maintained at a steady level with syringes coupled in push-pull. The concentration of red cells in the fluid collected on the denuded sclera increased with time. Over a 10 minute period the average amount of red cells recovered was 71±6 per cent of that expected from the amount of labeled albumin. In in vivo experiments with the eyes at their spontaneous pressures, 5 to 10 per cent red cells in the anterior chamber fluid gave a pressure rise of about 6 mm. Hg over a 60 minute period. The amount of labeled albumin recovered in the general circulation after 1 hour corresponded to that in about 50 µl anterior chamber fluid. The amount of labeled red cells recovered in the blood was 61 ± 5 per cent of that expected if the red cells had passed out of the eye without selective retention in the filtering structures. It is pointed out that addition of red cells to the anterior chamber fluid may become useful in experimental studies, e.g., on the relationship between eye pressureand rate of aqueous humor formation and in studies on the mode of action of drugs that influence the resistance of the drainage paths for aqueous humor.