May 2003
Volume 44, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2003
Comparative Analysis of Optical Properties and Mitochondrial Distribution of Primate and Porcine Lenses
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • V. Bantseev
    School of Optometry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
  • K.L. Moran
    School of Optometry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
  • J.R. Trevithick
    Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
  • J.G. Sivak
    Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  V. Bantseev, Bausch&Lomb R; K.L. Moran, Bausch&Lomb R; J.R. Trevithick, None; J.G. Sivak, Bausch&Lomb R.
  • Footnotes
    Support  NSERC Grants to JGS
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2003, Vol.44, 3484. doi:
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      V. Bantseev, K.L. Moran, J.R. Trevithick, J.G. Sivak; Comparative Analysis of Optical Properties and Mitochondrial Distribution of Primate and Porcine Lenses . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2003;44(13):3484.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To compare the optical role, morphology and distribution of mitochondria in baboon and pig lenses. Methods: Optical properties of baboon and pig lenses (sharpness of focus near and at the sutures) were analysed using an automated scanning laser system by rotating the lens at 150 intervals. For the distribution and morphology of mitochondria, lenses were labelled with a mitochondria-specific fluorescent probe Rhodamine 123 and optically sectioned using a confocal microscope. Results: Optical analysis of baboon lenses showed little variability in loss of sharp focus as laser beam passed through different regions of the lens (ranging from 1.2-1.9mm, n=5), whereas in pig lenses less variability was seen (ranging from 0.4-0.7mm, n=10). The morphology and distribution of mitochondria in lens epithelial and superficial cortical fibre cells were similar between baboon and pig lenses. In lens epithelial cells the mitochondria appeared dense, with an average length of about 6µm. In superficial cortical fibre cells mitochondria were not as dense and were much longer, up to 46µm. However in baboon lenses the depth below which the mitochondria disappear below a depth of 30µm (n=5), whereas in pig lenses mitochondria disappeared below 85 µm (n=11). Conclusions: Previous work carried out on monkey and bovine lenses (Kuszak et al., 1994; Sivak et al., 1994) indicated that primate lenses were optically superior. This study indicates that there may be significant variability among species of various mammalian orders. The presence of metabolically active mitochondria in epithelial and superficial cortical fibre layers of baboon and pig lenses suggests that lens epithelium and the superficial cortical fibre cells may play a much more active role in lens metabolism than previously suspected.

Keywords: comparative anatomy • optical properties • mitochondria 
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