Abstract
Purpose :
The chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been extensively used in many models for
studying angiogenesis and surgical procedures. The purpose of this study is to develop a rapid and low cost in vivo
model using CAM to assess vascular reactivity of eye drops and other topical drugs and drug candidates.
Methods :
The in ovo CAM was prepared for experimentation without its inner shell membrane 48h before the
application of the experimental drugs. A thin sterile silicone ring was applied on top of the CAM to demarcate the
vascular area to be tested. Eye drops and topical drugs were applied inside the silicone ring and a series of pictures
were taken at 0, 2, 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes using a cellphone camera adapted to a microscope. The diameter of the
vessels was assessed at each time point and compared using the publicly available ImageJ software.
Results :
Changes in the vascular diameter were clearly observed and easily documented for image post processing
and quantification. Vasodilation with a maximum increase of 106% on the vessel diameter was observed after 5
minutes of application of topical propranolol 6mg/ml solution. Phenylephrine 2.5% eye drops promoted the maximum
observed vasoconstriction, with total closure of some vessels after 15 minutes.
Conclusions :
This in ovo CAM model is a low cost, easily accessible, quantifiable, in vivo model to screen and study
vascular reactivity of eye drops and other topical drugs.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2017 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Baltimore, MD, May 7-11, 2017.