Histology, Histochemistry and Electron Microscopic Studies on Lens of Domestic Pig (Sus Scrofa Domesticus)

Abstract

Lens is an important refractive structure to focus the light on the photosensitive layer of the retina. The present study was contemplated to study the histology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the lens of six adult pigs. Lens capsule was an interrupted, homogenous, translucent layer that completely enclosed the lens fibres. It showed intense positive reaction for glycogen by McManus’ PAS method and also showed weak to moderate reaction to the Alcian-blue staining for acidic mucosubstances. The newly formed lens fibres in the cortex were thick and appeared as long elongated fibres and hexagonal shape in cross sections. They were interlocked together by ball and socket type of joints at each of their hexagonal edge. Integrity of the lens fibres was lost and less recognizable towards the nucleus. Cortical lens fibres showed uniformly distributed granular cytoplasm and cell organelles were not observed in the inner cortex and nucleus of the lens.