Ultrastructure of the Ageing Retinal Vascular System, with Special Reference to Quantitative and Qualitative Changes of Capillary Basement Membranes

Abstract

Electron microscopic examination of the retinal vascular system in two species of rodents (spiny mice and rats), with subsequent morphometπcal evaluation of capillary basement membrane (BM) thickness and diameter, revealed an age-correlated basement membrane thickening in both species and an age-correlated increase of capillary diameter and a positive correlation between these two parameters in spiny mice. Further more, a positive correlation was found between body weight and BM width in rats. A discussion of the standard deviation of thevalues obtained, as well of factors other than age influencing BM width, are presented.