Hydration Properties of the Corneal Stroma in Dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula L.

Cornea of the dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula L.), with and without epithelium, were excised in solutions of different pH. The dogfish cornea was capable of swelling in acidic solutions, degree of swelling being highest at pH 3.0 from the studied range. Also some swelling might be found at alkaline pH round 12.0–13.0 followed by complete solubilization. Increased hydration of the elasmobranch cornea at various pH values was always accompanied by a remarkable proportional loss of its final dry weight. Behaviour of the elasmobranch cornea differed from properties of mammalian and teleostean corneas. The dogfish cornea was capable, contemporarily, to swell and lose its solid components