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Home / Equine Research Bank / Anat Rec (Hoboken) / Comparative study of fibrillar collagen arrangement in the c...
Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)2007; 290(12); 1542-1550; doi: 10.1002/ar.20613

Comparative study of fibrillar collagen arrangement in the corneas of primates and other mammals.

Abstract: This study is a comparative study of the relationship between corneal structure, morphology, and function in a range of mammalian species. X-ray scattering patterns were gathered at regular spatial intervals over the excised cornea (and in most cases also the scleral rim) of humans, marmosets, horses, cows, pigs, rabbits, and mice. All patterns were analyzed to produce quantitative information regarding the predominant orientation of fibrillar collagen throughout the tissue. The predominant direction of corneal collagen varies between mammals. This variation is not related to the size, shape, or thickness of the cornea or the frequency with which the animal blinks. A relationship does, however, appear to exist between corneal collagen arrangement and visual acuity. An excess of collagen directed toward one or both sets of opposing rectus muscles is a feature of animals that have an intermediate to high level of visual acuity. There is a significant variation in the arrangement of corneal collagen between different mammalian species. This finding may be related to differences in the frequency of action and the forces generated by the various extraocular muscles during eye movement and image fixation.
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Publication Date: 2007-10-25 PubMed ID: 17957749DOI: 10.1002/ar.20613Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The paper focuses on analyzing and comparing the structure of corneal collagen found in the eyes of various mammals including humans, marmosets, horses, cows, pigs, rabbits, and mice. The interesting finding is that the orientation of this collagen varies across species and may potentially have a link with the animal’s visual acuity or sharpness of vision.

Methodology

  • The research was conducted using X-ray scattering patterns. These patterns were captured from various points across the corneas and in most cases, the scleral rim (the white outer coat of the eye), of the studied mammals.
  • These patterns were then analyzed in a detailed manner to produce information related to the primary direction or orientation of the fibrillar collagen in the tissue.

Findings and Analysis

  • The dominant direction of the corneal collagen varied greatly among different mammalian species.
  • This variation was found to have no correlation with the size, shape, or thickness of the cornea or the frequency of blinking in the animal.
  • Nonetheless, a general trend was observed suggesting a potential link between the arrangement of corneal collagen and the visual acuity of the animal.
  • It was noted that animals with intermediate to high levels of visual acuity had an excess of collagen oriented towards one or both sets of opposing rectus muscles (the muscles that control the movement of the eye).

Conclusions and Implications

  • The study concluded that there was indeed a significant difference in the alignment of fibrillar collagen found in the corneas of different mammalian species.
  • This change in alignment could potentially be attributed to the varying frequency of action and forces exerted by the extraocular muscles during eye movements and image fixation in different animals.
  • Understanding the role of collagen in visual sharpness might open up new avenues for research in ophthalmic treatments and vision enhancement processes.

Cite This Article

APA
Hayes S, Boote C, Lewis J, Sheppard J, Abahussin M, Quantock AJ, Purslow C, Votruba M, Meek KM. (2007). Comparative study of fibrillar collagen arrangement in the corneas of primates and other mammals. Anat Rec (Hoboken), 290(12), 1542-1550. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.20613

Publication

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
ISSN: 1932-8486
NlmUniqueID: 101292775
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 290
Issue: 12
Pages: 1542-1550

Researcher Affiliations

Hayes, Sally
  • Structural Biophysics Research Group, School of Optometry and Vision Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
Boote, Craig
    Lewis, Jennifer
      Sheppard, Jack
        Abahussin, Mohammad
          Quantock, Andrew J
            Purslow, Christine
              Votruba, Marcela
                Meek, Keith M

                  MeSH Terms

                  • Animals
                  • Biomechanical Phenomena
                  • Cornea / anatomy & histology
                  • Cornea / physiology
                  • Cornea / ultrastructure
                  • Fibrillar Collagens / physiology
                  • Fibrillar Collagens / ultrastructure
                  • Mammals / anatomy & histology
                  • Oculomotor Muscles / anatomy & histology
                  • Oculomotor Muscles / physiology
                  • Primates / anatomy & histology
                  • X-Ray Diffraction

                  Grant Funding

                  • G0600755 / Medical Research Council
                  • G108/523 / Medical Research Council

                  Citations

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