Histogenesis of Ileum in Post-Hatch Guinea Fowl

Abstract

The present study was conducted to record the sequential post-hatch developmental changes in the ileum of the 36 guinea fowl. Various dimensions of the ileum were measured on 1, 7, 15, 30, 120 and 180 days of post-hatch life. Histologicaly, the thickness of all the layers increased significantly with age. The significant increased in villus height, width and crypts depth with age noticed. The ratio between the villus height and crypts depth (V/C) decreased with advancement of age. Lacteals were not noticed in the core of villi. The surface epithelium was simple columnar and comprised of chief cells, goblet cells, intraepithelial lymphocytes and globular leukocytes. Ultra structurally, the surface coat (glycocalyx) or fuzz covering the microvilli was less extensive. The plasma and the mast cells were located in the lamina propria just beneath the epithelium.