Histomorphometrical and histochemical postnatal development of cornea in indigenous rabbits

Abstract EN

The present study aims to clarify corneal development via analyzing of the histomorphologic and some histochemical parameters in local rabbits.

samples were collected from 25 rabbits divided into five different age groups at 1, 10, 15, 30, and 40 postnatal day (PND), then the samples sectioned, processed, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain and masson’s trichrome stain.

some sections were further stained with periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and toluidine blue (TB) stain for histochemical evaluation.

measurements of corneal layers performed for morphometric comparison among age groups.

the finding revealed thickening of corneal epithelium, stroma, and corneal endothelium progressively with age and decrease of corneal layer’s cellular density concurrently with alteration of corneal epithelium and corneal endothelium cell’s type.

the histochemical finding revealed late appearance of bowman’s and descemet’s membranes after eyelid opening which responded strongly to pas technique while stroma became metachromatic strongly responded to toluidine blue stain.

in conclusion, cornea showed highly active histological development and cellular differentiation before and after eyelid opening.