Electron microscopic study on the gel of the central part of the corpus vitreum in the ox.

The central part of the corpus vitreum in the ox possesses a relative firmness. Electron microscopically it has been shown to consist of collagen fibrils with interfibrillar spaces containing 8 nm thick granules. The granules are made up of chains of macromolecules (hyaluronic acid in an oligomer state) 130-200 nm in length and of an oval shape. The collagen fibrils are tightly covered with 8.5 nm thick macromolecules which represent highly polymerized hyaluronic acid. These macromolecules can be stained with ruthenium-red.