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Histological Structure and Mast Cell Distribution of Hedgehog's Small Intestine

Histological Structure and Mast Cell Distribution of Hedgehog's Small Intestine

Youbao Zhong1, Xianlai Zhang1, Xiaofen Hu1 and Yong Li1, 2,*

1College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P.R. China
2Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, No. 1101 Zhimin Avenue, Economic and Technological Development District, Nanchang 330045, Jiangxi, P.R. China

*      Corresponding author: liyong2912@163.com

 

ABSTRACT

The small intestine is the major site of animal digestion and absorption; however, little is known about the morphological characteristics of the hedgehog’s small intestine. This study was conducted to investigate the microstructure of the hedgehog’s small intestine and mast cell distribution by conventional HE and modified toluidine blue staining, respectively. Despite its similarity to the general mammal small intestine microstructure, the present results indicated that the hedgehog duodenum contained fewer Brunner’s glands, and that the Paneth cells were lacking in the crypt. The connective tissue was denser in the jejunal submucosa, but the muscularis was thicker. The intestinal glands were greatly developed in the ileum, lymphoid nodules were observed in the mucosa, and diffuse lymphoid tissue was distributed in the lamina propria. Meanwhile, goblet cells gradually increased from the duodenum to the ileum. The mast cells showed various shapes and sizes in the small intestine and could be detected at four layered structures in the small intestine, but were mainly distributed in the lamina propria and the submucosa, surrounded with connective tissue and blood vessels. In conclusion, the mast cells, goblet cells, lymphocytes and lymphoid nodules contributed to the small intestine mucosal immune barrier, and the distribution characteristics of the mast cells demonstrated great significance for the hedgehog’s immune system.

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Pakistan Journal of Zoology

October

Pakistan J. Zool., Vol. 56, Iss. 5, pp. 2001-2500

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