Ontogeny of proliferative cells in the rat fundic gland.

The ontogeny of proliferative cells in the rat fundic gland was studied using bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry from day 17.5 of gestation to 8 weeks after birth. This ontogenic process is divided into 4 stages. (1) The late fetal period extending to 0 day of birth: Proliferative cells were scattered throughout all levels of the stratified epithelium in the earliest stage (day 17.5-18.5 of gestation). With the appearance of a primitive gastric pit at day 19.5 of gestation, proliferative cells were more numerous at the base of the fundic gland. Proliferative cells were concentrated in the gland base and were rarely seen in the epithelial surface from day 21.5 of gestation onwards. (2) One day to 2 weeks after birth: As fundic gland growth proceeded, proliferative cells remained concentrated in the gland base. (3) Two to 4 weeks after birth: Proliferative cells left the gland base and moved upward to reach the adult location in the isthmus. (4) Four to 8 weeks after birth: The development of the fundic gland was complete and proliferative cells remained in a narrow proliferative zone in the isthmus.

Ontogeny of sulphated glycoconjugate-producing cells in the rat fundic gland.

The ontogeny of sulphated glycoconjugate-producing cells in the rat fundic gland has been studied using high iron diamine (HID), Alcian Blue (AB) at pH 1.0, high iron diamine in combination with Alcian Blue at pH 2.5 (HID-AB), cationic colloidal gold (CCG) at pH 1.0 under light microscopy and CCG (1.0), HID-thiocarbohydrazide (TCH)-silver proteinate (SP)-physical development (PD) under electron microscopy. From day 19.5 of gestation, sulphated glycoconjugate-producing cells were discernible under both light and electron microscopy. The development of such cells can be classified into four stages: (1) a prenatal period from day 19.5 of gestation extending to 0.5 days after birth; (2) 1 day to 2 weeks after birth; (3) 2 to 4 weeks after birth; and (4) the final period from 4 to 8 weeks after birth. Glycoconjugate-producing cells reached maturity by 4 weeks after birth. Our results indicated that glycoconjugate-producing cells were cells along the wall of foveolar lumen, but not those covering the gastric mucosa surface. Our results also suggested that the trans to transmost Golgi apparatus lamellae were the sites of sulphation in the developing rat stomach.