title: Comparison of the pig and feline models for full thickness corneal transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to report on the advantages and limitations of the pig and feline models for experimental in vivo corneal transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten healthy domestic pigs and ten healthy cats were used. Full thickness penetrating keratoplasty was performed using autologous (eight cases), allogeneic (seven cases) or human xenogeneic (three cases) tissue. In two other cases, the inflammatory response to partial thickness trephination (without transplantation) was evaluated. Eyes were assessed daily before and after surgery by slit-lamp, pachymetry, and tonometry. A transparency score ranging from 0 (opaque graft) to 4 (clear graft) was used, based on the slit-lamp examination. Optical coherence tomography, histology, and electron microscopy were performed postmortem.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the pig, the mean (±SD) transparency score for the eight full thickness grafts was 0.88 ± 0.99, ranging from 0 to 3. In the feline model, the mean transparency score for the seven uncomplicated grafts was 3.93 ± 0.19, ranging from 3.5 to 4. Both negative controls without endothelium remained opaque at all time. Intraoperative tendency for iris incarceration into the wound, rapid corneal swelling, suture cheese wiring, and postoperative intraocular inflammation were the main factors jeopardizing the functional success of the corneal transplant in the pig model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suboptimal functional results were obtained after full thickness corneal transplantation in the pig model, while in the feline model, the same protocol yielded uneventful surgeries and clear transplants, with functional results similar to those achieved in human subjects.
authors: Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada. i.brunett@videotron.ca
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Brunette
authors: Serge G
authors: SG
authors: Rosolen
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Carrier
authors: Mona
authors: M
authors: Abderrahman
authors: Ossama
authors: O
authors: Nada
authors: Lucie
authors: L
authors: Germain
authors: Stéphanie
authors: S
authors: Proulx
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D002415:Cats; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000662:veterinary; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000662:veterinary