Cell Apical Surface Area in Enterocytes from Chicken Small and Large Intestine During Development

Abstract

The absorptive surface of epithelial cells from chicken small and large intestine was studied at the day of hatch (1 d group) and at 2 and 6 wk after hatch. The segments considered were duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum (proximal, medial, and distal regions), and rectum. The length, diameter, and density of microvilli as well as cell apical diameter were measured in tip-villous enterocytes by transmission electron microscopy. The results obtained showed that during development: 1) microvillus length remained constant in duodenum and jejunum and decreased in the other segments; 2) microvillus diameter increased only in the jejunum and the rectum; 3) microvillus density increased in duodenum, ileum, distal cecum, and rectum (especially from 1 d to 2 wk) and did not change in the other segments; 4) cell apical diameter did not change; 5) apical surface area increased both in the duodenum (2nd to 6th wk) and in the jejunum (1 d to 2 wk) but did not change in the ileum. In the proximal-medial cecum and in the rectum there was a decrease in apical surface, whereas no changes were observed in distal cecum. Results indicated that microvillus length and density are the variables that best explain the changes observed in apical surface that occurred during development.

Effect of Broiler Breeder Age and Glutamine Supplementation on the Development of the Intestinal Mucosa of 7-Day-Old Chicks

“…The surface area of the tip of the enterocytes was calculated based on the tip diameter (C d ) of the cell and the extension factor of the microvillus (EFM), according (Ferrer et al, 1995) …”

Effect of probiotic and prebiotic inclusion in weaned piglet diets on structure and ultra-structure of small intestine

“…An Image Pro-Plus 4.1 software were used for estimating these following morphometric parameters: microvillous height and width (µm), apical diameter of enterocytes (distance between two joint complexes, in µm) and microvillous density (number of microvilli per µm 2 ). Apical surface of enterocytes (S) was calculated using apical diameter of enterocytes (C) according to FERRER et al (1995), and amplification factor of microvilli (AFM) was estimated following this formula: …”

Efeito da adição de agentes tróficos na dieta de leitões desmamados sobre a estrutura e ultraestrutura do intestino delgado e sobre o desempenho

“…A área de superfície apical dos enterócitos foi calculada segundo Ferrer et al (1995), usando-se o diâmetro apical dos enterócitos e o fator de ampliação dos microvilos. O desempenho foi avaliado pelo ganho de peso, consumo de ração e conversão alimentar, mensurados semanalmente.…”