Studies on the morphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of Paneth cells in the small intestine of the Angora rabbit

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to determine the morphology, histochemical properties, localization and quantitative distribution of Paneth cells in the small intestine of the Angora rabbit. Tissue samples taken from the duodenum. jejunum and ileum of 10 healthy Angora rabbits, obtained from private breeders, constituted the material of the study. The Paneth cells, which were determined to be located within the crypts of Lieberkuhn, were identified on their basally located nucleus and apically located acidophilic granules. These granules gave positive reactions with Mallory's triple staining, technique as well as with the application of Phloxine-tartrazine, Alcian blue-performic acid and Mallory's phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin method. Staining with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS). Alcian blue (pH 2.5), and PAS-Alcian blue gave negative reactions. Paneth cells were determined not to display a uniform distribution throughout the small intestine and cell numbers were ascertained to show a gradual increase from the duodenum towards the ileum. The difference between the three regions of the small intestine was determined to he statistically significant (p<0.01). Electron microscopic examination revealed the presence of electron-dense and homogenous granules in the apical cytoplasm of some Paneth cells, whereas homogenous granules of different electron density existed in some other cells.