Distribution of basal membrane complex components in elongating lens fibers.

Purpose: To localize specific components of the Basal Membrane Complex (BMC) of elongating lens fibers at defined points in their migration to the posterior sutures.

Methods: Normal, juvenile (4-6 week old) Sprague-Dawley rat lenses (n=46) were utilized. Lenses were either decapsulated to obtain whole mounts of lens capsules or sectioned with a vibrating knife microtome.

Morphology and organization of posterior fiber ends during migration.

Purpose: To characterize structural parameters of the basal membrane complex (BMC) and to determine the arrangement and organization of posterior fiber ends during elongation/migration in lenses with branched sutures.

Methods: Lenses from normal, juvenile (4-6 week old) Sprague-Dawley rats (n=16) were utilized. Posterior fiber ends were assessed on both whole mounts of lens capsules and on decapsulated lenses.