Scanning electron microscopy after cryofracture of normal and ischemic rat retinas.
The authors described the use of scanning electron microscopy after cryofracture to analyze rat retinas after experimental ischemia-reperfusion sequence. In Sprague-Dawley albino rats, intraocular hypertony by cannulation of anterior chamber was performed for 1 h on one eye. The other eye served as control. After 48 h of reperfusion, retinas were dissected. They were frozen and fractured before ultrastructural analysis by a scanning electron microscope. In the ischemic eyes the thickness of the photoreceptors layer was reduced, through internal disorganization resulting in misalignment of rods. There was swelling of the outer segments, a loss of adhesion between segments and superficial necrosis. Scanning electron microscopy after cryofracture permitted an analysis of the external morphology of retinal cells and intercellular components, especially the outer layers.
Hôpital Gabriel Montpied CHU, Service d'Ophtalmologie, Clermont-Ferrand, France. J-Marc.Ménérath@u-clermont1.fr
J M
JM
Ménérath
M T
MT
Droy-Lefaix
M
M
Doly
D000818:Animals; D005614:Freeze Fracturing; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012016:Reference Values; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000473:pathology; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000648:ultrastructure*