Determination of the changes on the small intestine of pregnant mice by histological, enzyme histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods

Özet

Background/Aims: The aim of the present study was to determine the changes on the small intestine in mice during pregnancy usinghistological, enzyme histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods.Materials and Methods: A total of 24 Swiss albino female mice were divided as non-pregnant/control, first week, second week, and thirdweek of pregnancy (n=6). Tissue samples obtained from the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were processed by means of routine histological techniques and stained with Crossmon’s triple staining. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was demonstrated with the simultaneousazo-coupling method. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was demonstrated with the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complexmethod. The numerical data of the parameters were obtained and analyzed statistically.Results: Villus height, villus width, and the rate of villus height/crypt depth were decreased in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in thelast week of pregnancy compared with the control group. Changes in the crypt depth of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum in pregnancywere found. The muscle width increased in pregnancy. It was identified that the ALP reactivity statistically significantly increased in theduodenum, jejunum, and ileum in pregnancy. The percentage of PCNA-positive cells in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum increased inthe first and second weeks of pregnancy, whereas it decreased in the third week of pregnancy compared with non-pregnant controlanimals.Conclusion: In conclusion, villus parameters, ALP reactivity, and percentage of PCNA-positive cells in the small intestine were affectedduring pregnancy.