[Histochemical studies on the structure and the age changes of Descemet's membrane in cattle (author's transl)].

Descemet's membrane of 15 cattle-corneas, aged 6 month to 13 years was studied by various histochemical and morphometric methods. 3 zones could be differentiated. Zone 1 is relatively small and does not show significant changes with age; zone 2 comprises the main part of Descemet's membrane, its diameter increased with age. Zone 2 is rich in sulfated glycosaminoglycans. Zone 3, below the endothelial lining, does not develop before the 3rd and 5th year of life and stains different from zone 2.