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Updated: Jul 5, 2026
07:33
A Mouse Model of Intestinal Partial Obstruction
Published on: March 5, 2018
Fatal acute intestinal pseudoobstruction in mice
Ricardo E Feinstein1, Winston E Morris, Anne Halldén Waldemarson
1National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden. ricardo.feinstein@sva.se
Summary
A spontaneous intestinal pseudoobstruction caused fatal outcomes in lactating mice. This condition involved widespread apoptosis of gut epithelial cells, but the primary cause remains unknown.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Gastroenterology
- Mouse Models
Background:
- Spontaneous intestinal pseudoobstruction is a rare but severe condition.
- Lactation imposes significant physiological demands on female mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epizootiology and pathology of spontaneous fatal acute intestinal pseudoobstruction in a mouse colony.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of this condition.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and histopathological examination of affected mice.
- Assessment of apoptosis and caspase 3 expression.
- Microscopic evaluation for neuronal changes and identification of etiologic agents.
Main Results:
- The condition primarily affected dams during the second week of lactation.
- Key findings included distended small intestines, widespread apoptosis of intestinal villus epithelium and large intestine superficial cells, and strong active caspase 3 expression.
- Morphologic signs of toxemia were present, but no neuronal changes or etiologic agents were identified.
Conclusions:
- Sudden activation of apoptosis in the gut epithelium during peak lactation appears instrumental in the fatal outcome.
- The primary cause of the bowel motility dysfunction was not established in this study.
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