The experimental analysis of changes in proliferative and morphological status in studies on the intestine

Two of the mainstays of the study of intestinal adaptation are morphological and cell kinetic methods; however, an analysis of many current techniques for the assessment of intestinal proliferation and morphological status reveals that few methods are robust enough to withstand critical examination. It is essential that investigators in this field think critically about what to measure before investing time and effort in complex experiments which need such morphokinetic end points. This article sets out briefly a methodology which appears to offer most in accuracy and precision and to be suitable for critical morphokinetic analysis in intestinal adaptation.