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Bovine Cornea OECD TG 492

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  • Comprehensive Testing Services: Our institution is the only certified testing and certification body in Korea that offers a one-stop service from alternative animal testing to clinical skin trials for cosmetics, medical, bio, and chemical products.
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Organism
Bovine
Product Type
Tissue
Tissue
Cornea
Disease

Applications

In vitro eye irritation (OECD TG 437)

Eye irritation test is in accordance with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety guidelines, assesses eye irritation potential using bovine corneas.

In vitro eye irritation test (OECD TG492)

Reconstructed human Cornea-like Epithelium (RhCE) test method for identifying chemicals not requiring classification and labelling for eye irritation or serious eyedamage.

Table of Contents

OECD Test Guideline 437: Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) Test

The OECD Test Guideline 437, commonly referred to as the Bovine Corneal Opacity and Permeability (BCOP) test, is an in vitro test method used to classify chemicals according to their potential to cause eye irritation or serious eye damage. This test is particularly significant because it offers an alternative to in vivo testing, which traditionally involved using live animals, and thus supports the principles of the 3Rs (Reduce, Refine, Replace) concerning animal testing.

Eye irritation test - BCOP assay

To determine the eye irritation of a test substance, it is applied tothe cornea of a cow.
The opacity (cloudiness) and permeability of the cornea are then measured.
These measurements are used to calculate the OcularIrritation Index (IVIS),
which is indicative of the test substance’s eye irritation potential.
Based on the opacity and permeability measurements obtained from the corneal exposure test, the ocular irritation index (IVIS) is calculated.
This index serves as a quantitative measure to evaluate the eye irritation potential of the test substance.

Purpose of BCOP test

The primary purpose of the BCOP test is to evaluate the hazard of chemicals inducing eye damage through changes observed in both the opacity and the permeability of the bovine cornea, which is a part of the eye that plays a crucial role in focusing vision.

Assay process

1. Preparation

  • Obtain fresh bovine eyes from slaughterhouses to ensure that the corneas are similar in physiologic condition to those in live animals.
  • Isolate the corneas carefully to keep them intact and mount them in a special holder that exposes only the corneal surface.

 

2. Treatment Application

  • Apply the test substance to the corneal surface. Depending on the guideline and specific test requirements, this can involve solid, liquid, or semi-solid substances.
  • Expose the cornea to the test substance for a specified duration, typically around 10 minutes for liquids and possibly longer for solids.

 

3. Assessment of Opacity

  • Measure the initial corneal opacity using an opacitometer before the application of the test substance.
  • After exposure, wash the substance off and measure the post-treatment corneal opacity.
  • Determine the increase in opacity caused by the test substance.

 

4. Permeability Measurement

  • Introduce a fluorescein dye solution into the anterior chamber of the cornea post-treatment.
  • After a specified incubation period, measure the amount of dye that has permeated to the posterior side of the cornea using a spectrophotometer.
  • This permeability is indicative of damage to the corneal epithelium.

 

5. Data Analysis

  • Calculate the In Vitro Irritancy Score (IVIS) based on changes in both opacity and permeability.
  • Compare the IVIS against standard criteria to classify the eye irritation potential of the test substance.

6. Classification

  • Substances are categorized based on their IVIS as either not classified, irritating, or corrosive to the eye.
Opacity

Opacity is assessed by measuring the light transmission through the cornea. This endpoint helps determine the degree of cloudiness or haziness caused by the test item. Permeability Permeability is evaluated by measuring the penetration of fluorescein dye through the cornea. This endpoint indicates the extent to which the test item affects the cornea’s barrier function. Controls Each assay includes both positive and negative controls to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the results. For detailed information on how to test your materials using this assay, please refer to the Applications section. If you require specialized protocols, they can be developed through consultation by My Lab.

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MatTek offers the Eye Irritation Test as a GLP or non-GLP service.

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