Specular microscopy to determine corneal endothelial cell morphology and morphometry in chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) in vivo

IntroductionThe purpose of this study was to measure cell density, average area, and morphology of corneal endothelium of chinchillas in different age groups. Materials and methodsThe corneal endothelium was studied with a contact specular microscope. Thirty chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera) were evaluated, and 30 male chinchillas were divided into three groups of 10 chinchillas each, by age: Group 1 (2-4-month-old), Group 2 (48-month-old), and Group 3 (10years of age). Data are presented as endothelial cell density (ECD), average cell area, and pleomorphism. ResultsEndothelial cell density decreases and an increase in endothelial cell area and pleomorphism were observed with age, in the corneas of normal chinchillas. For Group 1 chinchillas, the mean cell density was 3.423 cells per mm(2). The mean ECD for Group 2 chinchillas was 2.650 cells per mm(2). The mean ECD for Group 3 chinchillas was 2.124 cells per mm(2). The average area for Group 1 chinchillas was 350.5m(2). The average area for Group 2 chinchillas was 442.15m(2). The average area for Group 3 chinchillas was 583.64m(2). The pleomorphism for Group 1 was 70.05%. The pleomorphism for Group 2 was 65.18%, and the pleomorphism for Group 3 was 62.28%. ConclusionsThe results suggested that chinchilla corneal endothelium undergoes age-related changes. Moreover, with advancing age, the mean cell area increased and cell density decreased.