Fine structural changes in the developing gastric gland cells in the ferret during the postnatal period

The development of the gastric gland cells in the ferret was studied with particular reference to maturation during the postnatal period. In the newborn, the glands consist of immature parietal cells with numerous mitochondria, and shallow rudimentary intracellular canaliculus with numerous microvilli, and undifferentiated cells. At one week old, mucous neck cells are present containing scattered mucin granules and the parietal cells contain tubulovesicular components. At two weeks old chief cells can be seen with large secretory granules in their basal cytoplasm. The gastric gland cells subsequently increase considerably in size, and their epithelium undergoes rapid histological maturation towards weaning.