Histopathology of reversible cataracts produced by hydroxyurea in vitro.

A DNA synthesis inhibitor, hydroxyurea (HU) (5 X 10(-2) M), was added to the organ culture medium for a rat crystalline lens (male, white Wistar rats weighing 100 g). 1. On the 3rd day, a macroscopic examination revealed diffuse opacity of the posterior capsule. Because of removal of HU from the culture medium on the 3rd day the crystalline lens had become lucid on the 6th day, approximately the same as that of the control on the 6th day. In a histopathological examination, the epithelial cells appeared to maintain a histo-architecture similar to that of the control. Lens fiber swelling was scarce at this time. 2. The crystalline lens cultured with HU showed diffuse opacity of the anterior capsule and localized opacity below the posterior capsule in a macroscopic examination on the 5th day. In histopathological examinations of the same culture, the lens epithelial cells and swelling of the lens fibers had disappeared.