Comparison of mesenteric with antimesenteric crypt and villus populations in the mouse jejunal epithelium

Abstract

Variation in the size and composition of crypts and villi along the length of the intestinal tract is well known. Here we investigate possible variation around the circumference of the intestine. This is a concern because most studies have ignored potential circumferential variation and its implications for experimental design in cell kinetic studies. We compared the crypt and villus populations of the mesenteric half with those of the antimesenteric half of proximal mouse jejunum. The branching crypt index and crypt and villus dimensions were measured. We found no evidence of differences in the branching crypt index, in the mean crypt and villus size, nor in the distribution of crypt and villus sizes between these two populations.

Asymmetric mucosal structure, mesenteric versus antimesenteric, in mouse, rat, and human small intestines

“…Two previous studies, one on mice and one on pigs, have evaluated the difference in villus length, crypt, and/or total epithelial/mucosa (Cheng et al, 1990; Pekas, 1986). They conclude completely different results.…”

“…They conclude completely different results. The study on mice conclude that the mesenteric and antimesenteric villus and crypts populations are similar and they consider them together as a homogeneous population (Cheng et al, 1990). On the other hand, the study on pigs showed that there were significantly larger areas of digestive–absorptive surface and of total epithelial surface in the antimesenteric wall than in the mesenteric (Pekas, 1986).…”

“…In a previous study on pigs, differences were found in the jejunum and ileum on the opposite plane, mesenteric versus antimesenteric, shows that the total epithelia were significantly larger in the antimesenterial side (Pekas, 1986). However, in a study on mice, the mean crypt and villus size appeared identical at the antimesenteric side compared the mesenteric side (Cheng et al, 1990). Whether the mesenteric and the antimesenteric sides are equivalent in the human gut is lacking.…”

“…There is a clear proximo‐distal gradient in the nature of the crypt and villus populations of the intestinal tract (Altmann & Leblond, 1970). The symmetry of the digestive tract has been studied (Cheng et al, 1990; Meyers, 1976; Pekas, 1986). The mesenteric and antimesenteric portions of the intestinal epithelium may well be exposed to different influences affecting epithelial growth rates and the dimension of crypts and villi.…”