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Morphometric characteristics of the small and large intestines of Mus musculus during postnatal development
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Abstract
To find the allometric relationship between the size of the small and large intestines and body mass, reduced major axis regression was applied. The length and surface area of both intestinal segments gradually increased with age. The increase in the internal surface area of the small intestine was the result of lengthening of the intestine and increasing diameter of the villi in its proximal and middle sections. No increase in villus height during the studied period was detected. A marked increase in the size of the intestinal segments was observed between the 2nd and 4th weeks of life, when the length doubled and the surface area tripled in size. Allometric analysis revealed that the increase in length and internal surface area of the small and large intestines was more rapid than the body mass increase during the weaning period, while it was not different from isometry after the weaning. In conclusion, the greatest changes in the structure and size of the small and large intestines of mice occurred in the weaning period. During this period these two segments of intestine grew faster than the rest of the body and reached adult proportions. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 252–259)
Abstract
To find the allometric relationship between the size of the small and large intestines and body mass, reduced major axis regression was applied. The length and surface area of both intestinal segments gradually increased with age. The increase in the internal surface area of the small intestine was the result of lengthening of the intestine and increasing diameter of the villi in its proximal and middle sections. No increase in villus height during the studied period was detected. A marked increase in the size of the intestinal segments was observed between the 2nd and 4th weeks of life, when the length doubled and the surface area tripled in size. Allometric analysis revealed that the increase in length and internal surface area of the small and large intestines was more rapid than the body mass increase during the weaning period, while it was not different from isometry after the weaning. In conclusion, the greatest changes in the structure and size of the small and large intestines of mice occurred in the weaning period. During this period these two segments of intestine grew faster than the rest of the body and reached adult proportions. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 4: 252–259)
Keywords
mice intestine; postnatal growth; morphometry; allometry
Title
Morphometric characteristics of the small and large intestines of Mus musculus during postnatal development
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
252-259
Published online
2011-11-25
Page views
708
Article views/downloads
3985
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2011;70(4):252-259.
Keywords
mice intestine
postnatal growth
morphometry
allometry
Authors
K. Wołczuk
B. Wilczyńska
M. Jaroszewska
J. Kobak