An analysis of45Ca fluxes in the rabbit lens

Abstract

The uptake of ⁴⁵Ca by the rabbit lens reached equilibrium within 20 hr; the steady state lens/medium ratio was 0.08. This ratio is similar to that found for the lens/medium distribution of extracellular markers. Efflux of ⁴⁵Ca from the lens was rapid and insensitive to iodoacetate. Mathematical analysis of ⁴⁵Ca efflux curves revealed that calcium efflux from the lens could be described solely upon the basis of passive movement from the extracellular space. It is concluded that the exchangeable calcium in the normal rabbit lens is predominantly located in the extracellular space.