A Spontaneous Corneal Change in Juvenile Wistar Rats

Corneal Mineralization in Wistar Hannover Rats

“…In this study, the mineralized deposits were present in the anterior part of the corneal stroma, mainly just below the epithelial basement membrane, and this was almost consistent with previous reports 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 7 . The anterior part of the corneal stroma is a special differentiated area of the corneal stroma and corresponds to the Bowman’s layer in humans 15 .…”

“…The cleft was reported to be an artifact in rats and mice 2 , 10 . Moreover, in calcific band keratopathy of humans, the anterior part of the corneal stroma, the so-called “Bowman’s layer,” often becomes detached from the underlying deposit because of its brittleness 4 .…”

“…Corneal stromal tissue contains calcium at a nearly saturated concentration, and even minor alterations in its microenvironment could induce an increase in pH or dryness and result in the precipitation of calcium 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 12 , 13 . The structure of the cornea of Wistar Hannover rats may be more susceptible to an increase in pH and dryness than that of SD rats.…”

“…The anterior part of the corneal stroma is a special differentiated area of the corneal stroma and corresponds to the Bowman’s layer in humans 15 . Small and sparse collagen fibrils are present there randomly 3 , 4 , 14 and may act as a nidus for or a filter against the precipitation at the beginning of mineralization 2 , 3 , 4 . We consider that the anterior part of the corneal stroma in Wistar Hannover rats is vulnerable to the precipitation of calcium.…”

“…Ultrastructurally, the deposit is composed of aggregating spherules and amorphous material and occasionally shows a laminar appearance 2 , 3 , 4 . X-ray microanalysis reveals that the deposit predominantly consists of calcium and phosphorus 2 , 5 , 6 .…”