title: Paneth cell identification in the small intestine of guinea pig offsprings (Cavia porcellus).
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the presence, number, and morphometrical characteristics of Paneth cells (PC) in the small intestine of guinea pigs during lactation. We used 48 pups from 0 to 15 days old. Samples from small intestine were fixed in 10% buffered formaldehyde (pH 7.4) and processed for histological and morphometrical studies using hematoxylin and eosin (HE), Phloxine tartrazine or Masson's Trichome staining, or immunohistochemistry for lysozyme. PC were morphologically identified at day 2 using Masson's Trichome or Phloxine tartrazine stainings, and at day 4 using HE, whereas using immunohistochemistry they were recognized from birth. Morphometrical differences were found between the intestinal sections at each age studied, and within each section during the first weeks of life. In all developmental stage, the highest number of PC was observed in the duodenum of 13 days old guinea pigs. Our results confirm the presence of PC in the small intestine of guinea pigs from birth.
authors.affiliation: Animal Physiology Laboratory, Veterinary Medicine School, National University of San Marcos, San Borja, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: María Elith
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Vásquez Cachay
authors.forename: Erika Pebe
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Gutiérrez
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lira Mejía
authors.forename: Néstor Falcón
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Pérez
authors.forename: Carolina Natalia
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Zanuzzi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbeito
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology*; D007774:Lactation; D019879:Paneth Cells / Q000166:cytology*
keywords: Paneth cells; guinea pig; immunohistochemistry; lactation; lysozyme