Distribution of ascorbic acid in the ciliary body of albino rabbit, guinea pig and rat.

The distribution of ascorbic acid in the ciliary body has been demonstrated by means of a silver nitrate technique. It appeared that the basal cells in the pars plana region and in the valleys between the ciliary processes contain great amounts of ascorbic acid, in contrast to the basal cells over the processes proper which showed only traces. Rabbit and guinea pig revealed mainly the same findings, and quantitative differences occurred before and after intracardial injection of ascorbic acid. On the other hand, ascorbic acid was absent in the ciliary body of untreated rats, whereas only traces were found after intracardial injection of this substance. These species differences are in keeping with previous reports showing high concentration of ascorbic acid in the aqueous humour from rabbit/guinea pig, and no ascorbic acid at all in aqueous humour from rats.