Changes in hydration, protein and proteoglycan composition of the collagen–keratocyte matrix of the bovine corneal stroma ex vivo in a bicarbonate–mixed salts solution, compared to other solutions

Many solutions have been used to investigate the swelling properties of the mammalian corneal stroma but few of the solutions resemble the expected extracellular matrix fluid of the corneal stroma, and little information is available on whether incubation ex vivo causes significant changes in the gross composition of the stroma. From quality-selected recent post-mortem eyes of adult cattle, stroma preparations were cut from the central part of the cornea. The time-dependent changes in wet mass were assessed over 9 h at 37°C, and the preparations then dried. Various solutions of known pH (6.88–8.32) and osmolality (