Histological and histochemical study of the duodenum of the plains viscacha (Lagostomus maximus) at different stages of its ontogenetic development

TANO DE LA HOZ, M. F.; FLAMINI, M. A.; DÍAZ, A. O.

ACTA ZOOLOGICA

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2014 vol. 95 p. 21 - 31

0001-7272

The general objective of this study focuses on the histological and histochemical analysis of the duodenum of fetuses and adults of the plains viscacha from the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Histological techniques, histochemical procedures for localizing and chraracterizing glycoproteins (GPs) and lectin histochemical techniques for the identification of specific sugar residues were used. The general structure of the duodenum of all age groups here considered is typical of that found in mammals. In this work, we identify in L. maximus a proliferation phase and an epithelial morphogenesis in mid-gestational fetuses, an intermediate period of cell differentiation in at-term fetuses and a posterior stage of physiological maturation in adults. According to histochemistry, the diverse GPs elaborated and secreted into the duodenum by the adult viscacha show a high degree of histochemical complexity related to the multiple functions carried out by mucus in the digestive tract. The GPs in the duodenum of L. maximus and their glycosilation patterns vary according to the animal?s age and the state of development of the organ. The general objective of this study focuses on the histological and histochemical analysis of the duodenum of fetuses and adults of the plains viscacha from the province of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Histological techniques, histochemical procedures for localizing and chraracterizing glycoproteins (GPs) and lectin histochemical techniques for the identification of specific sugar residues were used. The general structure of the duodenum of all age groups here considered is typical of that found in mammals. In this work, we identify in L. maximus a proliferation phase and an epithelial morphogenesis in mid-gestational fetuses, an intermediate period of cell differentiation in at-term fetuses and a posterior stage of physiological maturation in adults. According to histochemistry, the diverse GPs elaborated and secreted into the duodenum by the adult viscacha show a high degree of histochemical complexity related to the multiple functions carried out by mucus in the digestive tract. The GPs in the duodenum of L. maximus and their glycosilation patterns vary according to the animal?s age and the state of development of the organ.