Mucosal morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation in fetal porcine small intestine

Abstract

Background Development of the small intestine is essential for proper nutrition of the fetus and the neonate. This investigation examines the morphogenesis and cytodifferentiation of developing fetal porcine small intestinal mucosa. Methods Fetuses were collected from gilts after hysterectomy. Small intestinal segments were removed and processed for light and electron microscopy. Results Fetal porcine small intestine developed from a simple tube of stratified epithelium to a tube containing villus and intervillus regions of simple columnar epithelium. This development occurred in a proximal to distal direction. By Day 40 of gestation, cytodifferentiation was evident with the presence of goblet cells and enteroendocrine cells in the duodenum. As development progressed, microvilli lengthened and components of the apical endocytic complex (AEC) were observed. By Day 110 of gestation, tubular and vesicular components of the AEC were confined to the jejunum, whereas large lysosomal vacuoles were observed in the distal jejunum. Duodenal epithelium at Day 110 was similar to postnatal epithelium. Conclusions The pattern of fetal porcine small intestinal development is similar to that reported for fetal human small intestine. Villus development and cytodifferentiation occur at similar relative times in gestation when compared to the human. These observations support the use of the fetal pig as a model for investigations of human small intestinal development. Anat. Rec. 249:517–523, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.