Effects of natural winter pasture and commercial pellet on the ultrastructure of small intestinal epithelium in reindeer

Abstract

Segments of small intestine (duodenum, jejunum and ileum) from slaughtered reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) grazing natural winter pastures (n=3) and reindeer fed commercially available pellets (RF-80) in winter (n=5) were collected and immediately fixed in McDowell's fixative. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate the ultrastructural features of the epithelium and lamina propria along the small intestine and to relate these to the different diets. Major differences in ultrastructural features were observed between the small intestinal enterocytes of reindeer fed the two diets. Enterocytes in reindeer fed the natural diet displayed a normal appearance with a dense cytoplasm and distinct microvilli. In contrast, reindeer fed the commercial diet showed damaged enterocytes amongst the normal cells. Abnormal changes included disintegration and loss of microvilli, cytoplasmic swelling, loss of membrane integrity and increases in the width of intercellular spaces, especially in the jejunum.

Endocytosis of indigenous bacteria and cell damage caused by Vibrio anguillarum in the foregut and hindgut of spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen) fry: an electron microscopical study

“…Differences were ranked as follows: 0 not observed, with + low, ++ moderate and +++ high frequency of occurrence. Analyses of images were conducted as described by Ringø, Mathiesen, Storeheier, Mayhew and Myklebust (2005).…”