[Submicroscopic structure of small intestine cells of lambs during a course of experimental inflammation]

The changes observed in the submicroscopic structure of the enterocytes of the jejunum of lambs in which inflammation has been chemically evoked justify the assumption that 12 hours after application of the chemical agent some differences exist, particularly in cellular reaction in the submucosa, in comparison with inflammations evoked by the infective agent. The submicroscopic changes in the enterocytes correspond to acute inflammation and indicate alterations on cell components which considerably reduce the absorptive area of the intestinal epithelium, and on organellae essential for the function of the enterocyte. In this way the natural barriers in the intestinal wall are damaged, leading to derangements in the absorption and passage of the nutrients taken in.