Inhibition of lens regeneration in larval Xenopus laevis.
The present research aims at showing the role played by the lens in inhibiting lens-forming transformations of the outer cornea of Xenopus laevis tadpoles. Two types of experiment were carried out: 1) lentectomy and insertion of a Millipore filter disk at the side of the lens, and 2) lentectomy and insertion of a Millipore disk with a central hole. Results indicate that when the lens is replaced by a mechanical obstacle capable of preventing direct communication between vitreous and anterior chambers, definite inhibition of the lens-forming transformations of the outer cornea occurs. These data strongly suggest that the inhibition exerted by the lens on lens-forming transformations of the outer cornea in Xenopus laevis eyes is mechanical rather than chemical in nature.
D000818:Animals; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012038:Regeneration; D014981:Xenopus