Effect of starvation on mucosal morphology of small intestine in Passer domesticus

FUNES, S. C.; CHEDIACK, J. G.; FILIPPA, V.; CID, F. D.; MOHAMED, F.; CAVIEDES-VIDAL E.

San Juan

Congreso; Segunda Reunión Conjunta de Sociedades de Biología de la República Argentina; 2011

Sociedad de Biología de Cuyo

Starvation induces rapid and dramatic changes in the digestive system. The small intestine (SI) is the organ that is most affected, and to date, little is known about the effect of phase III starvation in the intestinal histology in no migratory small wild birds. Our objective was to determine the effect of starvation on the small intestine histology. To test our goal, eight Passer domesticus were acclimated to laboratory conditions with water and food ad libitum, then four animals were fasted (phase III of starvation) and four were used as controls. The SI was removed and sectioned in three portions (proximal, medial and distal) and fixed in Bouin solution. Then, the intestinal pieces were dehydrated and embedded in paraffin. Histological studies were performed on 5μm sections, stained by hematoxylin-eosin coloration, and examined by a light microscope. Our results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) on almost all intestinal parameters in fasted animals compared with controls. Perimeter reduction was around 15%, 30% on mucosal thickness and villus height (except distal portion), 27% on villus width, 25% on enterocytes height and 12% on width. In addition, a reduction in crypts abundance and mitotic cells abundance in crypts of the fasted animals were observed. Starvation in passerines birds produces gut mucosa atrophy and a phenotypic change in enterocytes. Probably,one mechanism involved is a decrease in cell proliferation. Supported by CyT-UNSL 22/Q751 to ECV, and PIP N° 11220090100998 CONICET and CyT-UNSL 0110 to JGC.