Corneal endothelial cell morphology of normal dogs in different ages

Abstract

Endothelial cell function is essential to maintain corneal transparency, but unfortunately the regenerative capacity of the endothelium is limited. There are only a few reports describing the effect of age on morphologic appearance of corneal endothelial cells of dogs. Studies of normal corneal endothelial cells in humans and dogs have shown a decrease in endothelial cell density (ECD) and an increase in pleomorphism and polymegethism with advancing age. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of age on ECD and endothelial cell morphology in dogs. A total of 30 dogs were divided into three groups (10 dogs/group) based on age: group 1 (2-12 months old), group 2 (24-72 months old), and group 3 (84 months or older). Corneas were processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed only difference in cell density between group 1 and groups 2 and 3, showing an initial decrease in cell density as the animal matured. Whereas there was significantly greater variation in cell size within the dogs in group 3 than there was within the other two groups, suggesting that there was increased polymegethism and pleomorphism with advancing age.

Ophthalmic parameters in adult Shih Tzu dogs

“…The cell area was greater than that described by RODRIGUES et al (2006), and similar to that found by NAGATSUYU et al (2014). Hexagonality percent values were higher than those reported by NAGATSUYU et al (2014), but similar to those found by PIGATTO et al (2008).…”

Scanning electron microscopy of the corneal endothelium of ostrich

“…The small pits observed scattered over the cell surface probably represent pinocytotic vesicles, previously documented (SVEDBERGH & BILL, 1972). Density of corneal endothelial cells using SEM has previously been reported in other species (COLLIN & COLLIN, 1998;PIGATTO et al, 2004;PIGATTO et al, 2005a;RODRIGUES et al, 2006). The cell densities of the representative species of birds ranged from 4.413±766cells mm -2 to 11.734±1.687cells mm -2 (COLLIN & COLLIN, 1998).…”

“…The structure of the normal corneal endothelium has been documented in humans (ABIB & BARRETO, 2001), dogs (GWIN et al, 1982;PIGATTO et al, 2006;RODRIGUES et al, 2006), horses (ANDREW et al, 2001) and other animal species (YEE et al, 1987;COLLIN & COLLIN, 1998;PIGATTO et al, 2004;PIGATTO et al, 2005a;PIGATTO et al, 2005b). The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the world's largest living bird.…”

Morphology of endothelial cells from different regions of the equine cornea

“…enucleated eye balls have proven that it is possible to evaluate the corneal endothelium within six hours post-mortem without structural changes occurring (ANDREW et al, 2001;PIGATTO et al, 2006;RODRIGUES et al, 2006;PIGATTO et al, 2008;FRANZEN, et al, 2010).…”

“…Using images obtained by specular microscopy, it is possible to examine the corneal endothelium and obtain data related to endothelial cell density and morphology. This technique has been used to quantify endothelial parameters in humans and other animal species including pigs (TAMAYO-ARANGO et al, 2009), rabbits (SAILSTAD & PEIFFER, 1981;OJEDA et al, 2001), dogs (GWIN et al, 1982;PIGATTO et al, 2006;RODRIGUES et al, 2006), horses (ANDREW et al, 2001;LEDBETTER & SCARLETT, 2009), llamas and alpacas (ANDREW et al, 2002), chinchillas (BERCHT et al, 2015), and cats (FRANZEN et al, 2010), among others. The high cost of specular microscopes and the difficulty in obtaining good images in injured endothelial areas are common challenges or barriers to the use of this technique (ANDREW et al, 2001;PIGATTO et al, 2005a;SAAD et al, 2008).…”