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Ultrastructure of the surface principal cells of the large intestine in postnatal developing rats

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Summary

The principal cells of the surface of the cecum, the ascending colon, and the descending colon in postnatal developing rats were investigated using both light and electron microscopy. In rats 1 to 14 days old the ultrastructure of the surface principal cells in the cecum and ascending colon were characterized by apical tubulo-vacuolar systems and large supranuclear vacuoles similar to those in the absorbing cells of the neo-natal ileum as reported by Clark, 1959, and others. After about the 16th day, the special membrane system disappears from the principal cells of the proximal large intestine. On the other hand, in the descending colon, this special membrane system was absent from the cytoplasmic matrix of the epithelium. It is thought that the proximal portion of the large intestine together with the distal part of the small intestine actively participate in the absorption of protein molecules at least during the early postnatal period.

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  1. Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan

    Kazuyuki Ono

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  1. Kazuyuki Ono
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Ono, K. Ultrastructure of the surface principal cells of the large intestine in postnatal developing rats. Anat. Embryol. 149, 155–171 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00317895

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