Morphological study of the small intestine of moura pigs (Sus scrofa - Lineaus, 1758) during fetal development

The morphology of the small intestine of 39 fetuses and 13 neonates of Brazilian Moura pigs (Sus scrofa) was studied. Fetuses were collected on the 30th, 58th and 86th day of fetal life. The entire small intestine was removed and divided into proximal and distal regions (30th day), and into duodenum, proximal jejunum, distal jejunum and ileum on the 58th and 86th days and in neonates. On the 30th day, the small intestine was small and fragile and there was no visible delimitation among the three segments. The length and diameter of the intestine increased significantly (p<0.001) from 58 days of gestation to parturition. The length of the small intestine, duodenum, jejunum and ileum increased 2.5, 1.2, 2.6 and 3.0 fold, respectively, whereas the diameter increased 2.7, 2.4, 2.7 and 3.0 fold from 58 days of gestation to parturition. On the 30th day, the immature small intestine consisted of mesenchyme and stratified columnar epithelium. On the 58th day, the mucosa, muscularis circular, muscularis longitudinal and serosa were observed in the three segments of small intestine and there were no crypts in the distal jejunum and ileum. Goblet cells were common in the duodenum and rare in the jejunum and ileum. Brünner`s glands were observed in the submucosa. In 86-day fetuses, the presence of incipient myoblasts indicated that the muscularis mucosae was in formation. Crypts were observed in the three segments of the small intestine. In neonates, the muscularis mucosae was present and Brünner`s gland were more frequent. Peyer`s patches were observed in the ileum. These results show that the temporal development of the small intestine of Moura pigs is similar to that of modern breeds. However, macroscopic findings indicate that Moura fetuses have a longer small intestine and heavier body weight at birth than modern breeds.

Effects of somatostatin, LHRH and TGF-(alpha) on epithelial cell proliferation in fetal stomach maintained in organ culture

An organ culture technique was used to examine the effects of somatostatin, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and transforming growth factor (TGF-alpha) on epithelial cell proliferation in rat fetal stomach. The explants were obtained from 20-day rat fetuses and were maintained in organ culture for 24 h. Half of the culture dishes were supplemented with 10 percent fetal bovine serum (FBS). Cell proliferation was assessed using the metaphasic index. Light and electron microscopy showed that the explants could be mainteined in good condition, independent of the FBS or hormone treatment. Re-epithelialization occurred at the edges of the fragments. The addition of 10 percent FBS was not advantageous for evaluation cell proliferation in this organ culture system. The low metaphasic index showed that somatostatin and LHRH significantly inhibited cell proliferation after 24 h of treatment. In contrast, TGF-alpha had a mitogenic effect on fetal gastric mucosa and prevented glandular degeneration. These results corroborate our previous studies in vivo and provide direct evidence of the influence of hormonal and growth factors on gastric mucosa during fetal development.