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17533

Aging effect on rabbit’s lens fibers; A scanning electron microscopic study

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Last updated: 03 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Introduction: The eye lens is a minute organ with complex structure that plays an indispensible role in the process of vision. It is composed mainly of modified epithelial cells that form a unique type of fibers.  This study was performed to highlight the morphological variations of lens fibers in different age groups in rabbits' lenses. These variations in fibers' structure may have a great impact on the optical properties of the lens. Material and methods: Fifteen white male rabbits of different ages ranging from one month to four and half years were equally divided into three groups; young, adult and aged. Their lenses were dissected and processed for scanning electron microscopy. Gross lenses' diameters and A-P axis lengths were assessed using digitalized gross photomicrographs from dissecting microscope. Also, diameter of lens fibers was measured digitally for comparative purposes among the groups. Statistical analysis for significance of obtained data was performed using analysis of variance and student-T test. Results: The average equatorial diameter was 6.1% and 14.5% larger in adult and aged lenses than young ones. The average A-P axis length was 14.1% in adult and 21.7% in aged lenses more than in young lenses as well. Lens fibers exhibited some variations in the pattern of lateral interdigitations that became more branched with folding. Fiber diameter demonstrated an increase from young to adult lenses then a decrease in aged lens was noticed. Conclusion: Lens fibers undergo some morphological variations by age progression in the form of compaction in addition to changes in the appearance of ball and socket interdigitations. These changes can be correlated to some age-related optical disturbances as senile prespyopia and cataract.  Recommendation: Age-related changes in the morphology of lens fibers should be considered in any experimental study including the lens to avoid interpretation bias and get more reliable results.  

DOI

10.21608/ejhm.2009.17533

Keywords

Lens fibers, lateral interdigitations, aging, compaction, scatter and scanning electron microscopy

Authors

First Name

Sahar Mohammad

Last Name

Gamal

MiddleName

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Affiliation

Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

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Volume

36

Article Issue

1

Related Issue

3686

Issue Date

2009-07-01

Receive Date

2018-10-24

Publish Date

2009-07-01

Page Start

451

Page End

466

Print ISSN

1687-2002

Online ISSN

2090-7125

Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/article_17533.html

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https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=17533

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12

Type

Original Article

Type Code

606

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine

Publication Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Aging effect on rabbit’s lens fibers; A scanning electron microscopic study

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023