title: Possible non-functional crypts in small intestine defined using mouse aggregation chimaeras.
abstract: We have identified a minor population of crypts in small intestine which do not appear to export cells to villi. These crypts can be observed in whole-mounts of small intestine prepared from C57BL/6J<-->SWR mouse aggregation chimaeras stained with a peroxidase conjugate of the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA-Px). In preparations where by chance the C57BL/6J epithelium (positive staining) forms only a minor component of the chimaera, occasional crypts occur which are isolated from larger patches of C57BL/6J epithelium and are surrounded by SWR (non-staining) epithelium. Fifty-one of 383 isolated C57BL/6J crypts (13%) did not appear to export cells to villi, although the crypt mouth is surrounded by a small patch of C57BL/6J epithelium on the intervillus gut floor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Winton
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Ponder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002465:Cell Movement; D002678:Chimera; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL