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

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. Transmissio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 2005-05, Vol.320 (2), p.355-359
Main Authors: Ringø, E, Mathiesen, S D, Storeheier, P V, Mayhew, T M, Myklebust, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed
Animals
Diet
Duodenum - ultrastructure
Enterocytes - ultrastructure
Ileum - ultrastructure
Intestinal Mucosa - ultrastructure
Intestine, Small - ultrastructure
Jejunum - ultrastructure
Lichens
Male
Reindeer - physiology
Seasons
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/s00441-004-1074-4