Histochemical changes in lens epithelium of rabbits after x-irradiation.

Acid phosphatase and ubiquinone reactions have a different distribution in the lens epithelium of the normal rabbit. Acid phosphatase is more concentrated in the germinative area than the central area, and ubiquinone is quite evenly distributed in the entire lens epithelium. Exposure to a cataracto genie dose of x-ray causes a greater decrease in the acid phosphatase in the germinative zone than in the central zone. Part of the decrease may be due to loss of cells in this area, but at least half of the loss seems to be due to a decrease in acid phosphatase in the remaining cells. This is first noted at 14 days after exposure. Ubiquinone does not show any decrease to 35 days after exposure, and a slight decrease in the germinative zone at 60 days after exposure. The difference in distribution in the control lens, and the effect of x-radiation suggest that the two systems have different functions.