ABSTRACT
Both eyes and Harderian glands have been examined in toxicology studies with the AP rat. In the first 20 years the eyes were immersion fixed in Zenker’s acetic, but latterly Davidson’s fluid has been used. Histological sections are taken through the eye at the level of the optic nerve. During the course of short term toxicity studies the eyes of rats are examined, at intervals, by ophthalmoscope, after dilating the pupils with Mydriacyl (Alcon Laboratories, Watford, UK). In two 2-year studies routine examination of the eye is confined to examination of the anterior segment by ophthalmoscope immediately prior to necropsy. Spontaneous lesions in the eye of the rat have been comprehensively reviewed by Taradach and Greaves (1984) and Yoshitomo and Boorman (1990).
