Both crypt and villus intestinal goblet cells secrete mucin in response to cholinergic stimulation

Computer-assisted morphometric analysis was used to quantify the effects of cholinergic stimulation on intestinal goblet cells. Within 5 min of stimulation (250 micrograms/kg carbachol sc), many crypt goblet cells were depleted of mucin secretory granules and their apical membranes had the deep cavitation that accompanies recent compound exocytotic activity. The percentage of crypt epithelial volume occupied by mucin secretory granules was decreased by 58.4% at 5 min and 45.9% at 60 min. Although villus goblet cells never showed signs of recent compound exocytosis, morphometric analysis revealed a 22.4% decrease in the percentage of villus epithelial volume occupied by mucin secretory granules within 5 min of stimulation and a 32.4% decrease by 60 min. The decrease in villus mucin stores was due to both a reduction in the volume of mucin in an average villus goblet cell and a drop in the number of recognizable goblet cells per square micrometer of villus epithelium. Mucin stores in both the crypt and villus regions were largely replenished by 4 h poststimulation.