[Histochemical studies of glycosaminoglycans in the developing eyelids of experimental microphthalmic (Cts) mice].

PURPOSE: The Cts mouse is a mutant strain which induces congenital cataract and small eyes in homozygotes. The process of eyelid development in Cts mice was examined histochemically.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Prenatal (from day 14 of gestation) and postnatal (to day 14) animals of unaffected and homozygous mice were examined. Sensitized high iron diamine staining was done after chondroitinase B/testicular hyaluronidase double digestion, and sensitized low iron diamine staining was done after Streptomyces hyaluronidase digestion.

RESULTS

The main chondroitin sulfate isomer in the dermis of the eyelid changed from chondroitin sulfate A/C to chondroitin sulfate B at birth in the unaffected mice. In the homozygotes, the same change took place 4 days after birth. In the dermis of the eyelid, hyaluronic acid was first detected on day 14 of gestation and gradually increased until birth in both unaffected and homozygous mice. There was slightly more hyaluronic acid in homozygous mice until 4 days after birth.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that the maturation of glycosaminoglycan molecular species in the eyelid was retarded in Cts homozygotes.