Ontogeny and localization of γ-crystallin antigen in the developing pigeon (Columba livia) lens

Abstract

Ontogeny and localization of the lens γ-crystallin antigen were investigated in the embryonic and post-embryonic pigeon lenses by the indirect immunofluorescence with antiserum from rabbit immunized with isolated pigeon lens γ-crystallin. The results show that γ-crystallin appears for the first time in a 4-day embryonic lens and is distributed uniformly over the entire fibre cells. In a late and also post-embryonic lens γ-crystallin was also detected in the epithelium and annular pad areas and the intensities of immunofluorescent reaction gradually increased from embryonic to post-embryonic lens.