Figure 4. Influence of early OVX on the expression of collagen molecules in corneal tissues of immature rabbits. A, B, and C: A cohort of young female rabbits was either left unoperated (control) or subjected to OVX at 8 weeks of age. Corneal tissues were collected from these animals at 22 and 32 weeks of age, and central and peripheral corneal tissues were analyzed separately. Levels of collagen I, III, and V mRNA were determined by RT–PCR in these tissues. Values are plotted as a percentage of collagen I, III, or V mRNA levels in normal control animals. Significant changes compared with normal controls are indicated (p<=0.05, p=not significant [NS]).