M cells in the rectum of calves

The morphology of gut-associated lymphoid tissue and the ultrastructure of overlying lymphoepithelium of newborn and three-week-old conventionally raised calves were compared. In all calves patches of lymphoid nodules were found in the terminal rectum. In newborn calves lymphoid nodules in the submucosa with caps of lymphoid tissue in the lamina propria predominated. In three-week-old calves lymphoglandular complexes were as numerous as lymphoid nodules with caps. Scanning and transmission electron microscopical examination of superficial lymphoepithelium over caps and lymphoepithelium in epithelial diverticula of lymphoglandular complexes revealed groups or single cells morphologically resembling M cells, but with widely varying apical processes. To investigate whether these putative M cells in rectal lymphoepithelium internalise and transport macromolecules across the epithelial barrier, ferritin was injected into the rectum of three-week-old calves. Eighty to 150 minutes after exposure ferritin was detected in cells resembling M cells. Thus these cells ought to be considered as M cells. It may be hypothesised that gut-associated lymphoid tissue with specialised lymphoepithelium in the rectum of calves provides a route for the uptake of antigen.