Biochemical analysis of bovine lens sections obtained by a new sectioning device.

One mm thick layers were reproducibly sliced from the punched-out inner cylinder of bovine lenses. The layers were obtained by a special designed freeze-sectioning device. Biochemical analysis of these layers revealed a detailed picture of the lenticular distribution of the amount of water-insoluble and urea-insoluble fractions. Furthermore, the distribution of the content of glucose, fructose and sorbitol was established. The results clearly show the usefulness of a microsectioning device to obtain layers for subsequent biochemical analysis which may lead to a comprehensive understanding of age- and/or cataract-related alterations within one lens.