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Published on: July 26, 2019
FINE STRUCTURE OF CELL SURFACE SPECIALIZATIONS IN THE MATURING DUODENAL MUCOSA OF THE CHICK
Insights
This study tracks chick duodenal cell development from incubation to hatching, revealing maturation patterns in cell division, microvilli, and cell junctions. These morphological changes correlate with alkaline phosphatase activity, indicating synchronized tissue development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Gastrointestinal Physiology
Background:
- The maturation of the chick duodenum involves complex cellular and structural changes.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for comprehending gastrointestinal development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological development of cell surfaces in the chick duodenum from incubation to hatching.
- To correlate these morphological changes with the rate of tissue maturation and enzyme activity.
Main Methods:
- Observation of mitotic figure distribution to assess maturation rates.
- Microscopic analysis of microvilli and junctional complexes.
- Comparison of morphological timing with alkaline phosphatase accumulation data.
Main Results:
- Mitotic figures concentrate basally, indicating gradual to rapid maturation from day 9 to day 19.
- Microvilli form by day 11, with height and angle changes indicating structural advancement by day 16.
- Cell adhesion changes at day 16, with tight junctions becoming dominant after trypsin treatment.
Conclusions:
- Chick duodenal development follows a distinct timeline of morphological changes in cell surfaces.
- The development of microvilli surface area parallels alkaline phosphatase activity, suggesting a link between structure and enzymatic function.
Abstract:
Cell surfaces in the duodenal mucosa have been studied in maturing tissue of the chick from incubation until hatching. Changes in the distribution of mitoses in this tissue give an indication of its rate of maturation. This rate is paralleled in developmental changes in microvilli and junctional complexes. Concentration of mitotic figures towards the base of villous folds is gradual from day 9 to day 16, then rapid to day 19, after which the mature pattern is acquired. By day 11, microvilli appear in a regular pattern which does not alter through hatching. Their height remains the same to day 16 when it increases gradually to day 19, then very sharply. The angle formed between the microvilli and the cell surface increases gradually to day 16, giving evidence of advancing internal structure. Changes in cell adhesion also occur at day 16. Thereafter, following trypsin treatment cells are held together in patches by the tight junctions of the terminal bar, although the desmosomes are separated. The timing of these morphological changes is compared with that of alkaline phosphatase accumulation in this tissue as reported by Moog (13). Increase in the surface area of the microvilli parallels the increase in the activity of the enzyme.
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