Species variation in small molecule components of animal vitreous

Mains, Jenifer and Tan, Lay Ean and Zhang, Tong and Young, Louise and Shi, Ruiwen and Wilson, Clive (2012) Species variation in small molecule components of animal vitreous. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. ISSN 0146-0404 (In Press)

Abstract

To characterise differences in biochemical composition of the vitreous of different animal species with respect to small molecule constituents. Vitreous samples were extracted from sheep, pig, Dutch Belted rabbits and New Zealand white rabbits. The vitreous samples were investigated for acetylcholinesterase activity and in addition, were subjected to metabolomics determination using mass spectrometry. Acetylcholinesterase activity varied across the species investigated with greater activity noted in larger animals. Principal component analysis demonstrated species differentiation in relation to metabolomic profile. Key peaks identified the importance of animal diet on small molecule composition of the vitreous. The results presented in this work highlight principal and consistent differences in small molecule composition and enzymatic activity of the vitreous depending on species. Interesting differences were demonstrated, showing that diet can impact on components of and metabolites contained within the vitreous. Material will be exchanged between vascular and retinal tissue with the vitreous compartment and as a non-vascular, slowly equilibrating 'sink' might reflect changes in transporter activity. As a first step, understanding the differences in the metabolic profile of vitreous from different species may impact interpretation of such activity across different species.

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