OXYS rats as a model of senile cataract

Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003 Oct;136(4):415-9. doi: 10.1023/b:bebm.0000010967.24302.78.

Abstract

Changes in the lens appear by the age of 2 months in early aging OXYS rats, at the age of 6 months these changes are detected in 100% animals, and by 12 months both eyes are involved. According to biomicroscopy findings, predominant forms of cataract are vesicular, annular, and dendritic, located in the cortical layer and/or nucleus of the lens. Light and electron microscopy showed morphological changes involving all structural components of the lens: epithelial degeneration progressing with age, deformation of fiber architectonics, and appearance of uneven condensations. Cataract in OXYS rats corresponds to senile cataract, which makes this rat strain a unique model for studies of the pathogenesis of involutive cataract and elaboration of methods for its prevention and correction.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Aging, Premature / complications
  • Aging, Premature / metabolism
  • Aging, Premature / pathology*
  • Animals
  • Cataract / complications
  • Cataract / epidemiology
  • Cataract / metabolism
  • Cataract / pathology*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Incidence
  • Lens, Crystalline / pathology
  • Lens, Crystalline / ultrastructure
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Rats, Wistar