VASCULARIZATION OF THE CORNEA OF THE RAT IN RIBOFLAVIN DEFICIENCY, WITH A NOTE ON CORNEAL VASCULARIZATION IN VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY

Vascularization of the cornea of the rat in the absence of antecedent pathology is probably a specific and the most reliable criterion of riboflavin deficiency. Its initiation and repair may be used for testing the biological activity of compounds structurally related to riboflavin. The facts that the invading capillaries are easily visible in the living animal and that the growth and regression of the blood vessels are under dietary control and for a considerable period of time unaccompanied by other pathological reactions, make this method very suitable for the study of problems related to capillary growth. We believe that the best hypothesis in explanation is that the vascularization is a response to asphyxia of the tunica propria.