Morphology of endothelial cells from different regions of the cornea of dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology of endothelial cells from different areas of the cornea of dogs. Twenty healthy eyes from 10 dogs, females or males, of different ages were studied. Corneal endothelium morphology of superior, inferior, central, nasal and temporal areas was assessed by 0.2% alizarin red staining using an optic microscope. One hundred endothelial cells from each corneal area were analyzed. In all areas of the cornea studied were found endothelial cells with four sides, five sides, six sides and seven sides. There was no significant difference regarding endothelial cell morphology in all corneal regions evaluated. Thus, the morphology of the central cornea area represents the entire endothelial mosaic and may be applied to peripheral areas. Therefore, analysis of the central area is sufficient to estimate the shape of endothelial cells of peripheral areas of healthy dog corneas. Key words: canine; cornea; endothelium; alizarin red; pleomorphism