title: Progressive microscopical changes in the closed system incubated rat lens.
abstract: A phase contrast microscopy investigation of 18 cultured rat lenses was undertaken. After an initial latent phase, the outline of the epithelial cells anteriorly became enhanced and posteriorly the lens fibers began to swell. This was followed by an anterior and posterior subcapsular accumulation of fluid, epithelial swelling and formation of posterior subcapsular vacuoles. At the end of the incubation period, no increase in the light dissemination from the lens was observed. It is concluded, that, when these changes are taken into account, the closed system cultured rat lens is an excellent and applicable model for studying the induced progressive changes in the microstructure of the living lens due to different agents.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008954:Models, Biological; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013997:Time Factors