[The histological changes after preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation for conjunctival reconstruction of rabbits eyes].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the histological changes after preserved human amnotic membrane transplantation of rabbit eyes.


METHODS
The conjunctiva of 12 New Zealand albino rabbits' right eyes were excised partly. Then the preserved human amniotic membrane were transplanted on the sclera. Eyes were enucleated at 1 week, 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 12 weeks (n = 3 for each) after surgery, and they were examined histologically with staining of HE, PAS, and transmission electronic microscopy.


RESULTS
At 1 week after transplantation, the human amniotic membrane firmly attached on the sclera, with the dead epithelial cells remaining on its surface. At 3 weeks, conjunctival epithelization was completed on the human amniotic membrane. Abundant PAS-positive goblet cells were recognized. The amnion began resolve. At 12 weeks, the amnion dissolved. On transmission electronic microscopy, the cell polarity is prominent. The epithelial cells contained a large number of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Microvilli were pronounced on the apical cell membrane. There are many intracellular desmosomes and hemidesmosomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Preserved human amniotic membrane is a valuable conjunctival replacement material. After transplantation, the histology of new tissue is as same as normal conjunctive.
Lu
R
R
Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen Univercity of Medical Sciences.
Liu
J
J
Zhang
J
J
Zheng
H
H
Yuan
Z
Z
Lin
J
J
D000650:Amnion / Q000637:transplantation*; D000818:Animals; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D011817:Rabbits; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012590:Sclera / Q000601:surgery; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous