2020 Volume 39 Pages 9-13
Göttingen minipigs of 12 males and 12 females were kept from 3- to 14-month old, and subjected to periodical examination of the eye to investigate ophthalmological background. Ununiform pigmentation of the iris was found by visual examination, and persistent pupillary membrane, persistent hyaloid artery, persistent tunica vasculosa lentis and tigroid fundus by the indirect ophthalmoscope and slit lamp biomicroscope. These findings were considered congenital. Lens opacity was noted in various forms at various regions of the lens. The lens opacity of the granular form was already present in the anterior cortex at 3-month old, and remained unchanged for the incidence and degree up until 14-month old, whereas the incidences of the opacity located in the nucleus, posterior cortex and posterior capsule appeared to increase with age of animals. Of note, the focal form of opacity localized in the posterior cortex, and granular, focal and diffuse forms of opacity in the posterior capsule became evident beyond 9-month old. From these findings, the onset of spontaneous lens opacity was carefully taken into account when evaluating toxicity studies using Göttingen minipigs.
