Objective  To observe the effect of bovine α-crystallin on rat RGCs in vitro.   Methods  Rat RGCs were cultured and then identified by Thy1.1 antibody. RGCs were treated with bovine α-crystallin at different concentration (10

-4

10

-5

10

-6

10

-7

g/L) for 3 h

12 h

1 d

2 d and 3 d

with the normal RGCs and RGCs treated with rat α-crystalline (10

-4

g/L) as controls. The changes of RGCs were observed

and the number and the length of outgrowing RGCs axons were calculated under microscope.   Results  The length and

number of RGCs axons treated with 10

-4

g/L

10

-5

g/L bovine α-crystallin

especially 10

-4

g/L

were more than those in normal control RGCs in the 1st

2nd and 3rd day. The effect of 10

-4

g/L bovine α-crystallin had no difference from that of 10

-4

g/L rat α-crystallin.   Conclusion  Bovine α-crystallin

especially of 10

-4

g/L

improves the survival of RGCs and the regeneration of axons

without difference with 10

-4

g/L rat α-crystallin on effect.