Histogenesis of Jejunum in Guinea Fowl (Numida melegaris)

Abstract

Present study was conducted to record the sequential postnatal developmental changes in the Jejunum of the 36 guinea fowl. Various dimensions viz thickness of various layers of jejunal wall, villus height and width, crypts depth, epithelial height and height of nucleus of epithelial cells of the jejunum was measured on 1, 7, 15, 30, 120 and 180 days of post- hatch life. Histologicaly, the thickness of tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis, tunica serosa, villus height and width, crypts depth, epithelial height increased significantly (<0.05) with advancement of age. The ratio between the villus height and crypts depth (V/ C) significantly increased up to 7 days and then decreased with advancement of age. The surface epithelium was simple columnar and comprised of chief cells, goblet cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and globular leukocytes. Ultra structurally columnar shaped chief cells had basally located oval nucleus with prominent nucleous. At the apical surface of the cells and microvilli and few cytoplasmic invaginations. The surface coat covering the microvilli was less extensive. The goblet cells contained mucin droplets on the surface epithelium of the villi. The Plasma cells with dilated endoplasmic reticulum and the mast cells were located in the lamina propria just beneath the epithelium.