The stomach of Oreochromis niloticus has three regions

The stomach of Oreochromis niloticus was divided into three distinct regions: initial, middle and terminal, corresponding roughly to the cardiac, fundic, and pyloric portions of the mammalian stomach. Grossly, the organ showed initial and terminal portions, the former connected to the distal part of the oesophagus and the latter to the proximal portion of the intestine. There was also a middle region, forming a large blind diverticulum communicating with the first two at their point of junction. The initial or cardiac region was shorter than the middle region but longer than the terminal one, and had a smooth surface devoid of gastric pits. The epithelium in this region was simple columnar devoid of goblet cells, with glandular regions in the lamina propria. The mucosa of the middle or fundic region had gastric pits lined by columnar epithelium, and simple tubular glands filled most of the lamina propria. The terminal or pyloric part of the stomach was very short and its mucosa was slightly folded and devoid of both gastric pits and mucous glandular cells. The lining epithelium of this portion of the stomach was simple columnar and a few goblet cells were seen at its junction with the first part of the intestine. The tunica muscularis of the stomach contained skeletal muscle in the initial and terminal regions, usually intermingled with smooth muscle fibres. Skeletal muscle fibres were also observed in the first portion of the small intestine, near the junction with the stomach.     

Histological and ultrastructural study of the digestive tract of rice field eel, Monopterus albus

The histological characteristics of the digestive tract and the ultrastructure of mucosal cells of the stomach and intestine of rice field eel, Monopterus albus, are described to provide a basis for future studies on its digestive physiology. The digestive tract of the rice field eel is a long and coiled tube composed of four layers: mucosa, lamina propria‐submucosa, muscularis and serosa. The pharynx and oesophagus mucosa is lined with a stratified epithelium. The stomach includes the cardiac and pyloric portions and the fundus. Many gastric pits are formed by invaginations of the mucosal layer and tubular gastric glands formed by the columnar cells in the fundus. The intestine is separated from the stomach by a loop valve and divided into a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal intestinal epithelium consists of columnar cells with microvilli towards the lumen and goblet cells. The enterocytes are joined at the apical surface by the junctional complex, including the evident desmosomas. Numerous lysosomes and some vesicles are evident in the upper cytoplasm of the cells, and a moderate amount of endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes are scattered in the supranuclear cytoplasm. The epithelium becomes progressively thicker and the folds containing large numbers of goblet cells are fewer and shorter in the distal portion of the intestine. At the ultrastuctural level, the columnar cells of the tubular gastric glands have numerous clear vacuoles and channels. A moderate amount of pepsinogen granules are present in the stomach. The enterocytes of the intestinal mucosa display a moderate amount of endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes, and long and regular microvilli.     

Ontogeny of the digestive tract during larval development of yellowtail flounder: a light microscopic and mucous histochemical study

The histological development and mucous histochemistry of the alimentary tract in larval yellowtail flounder were studied using light microscopy. Samples were taken when the larvae were first offered food at 3 days post-hatch, then at 7, 10, 29, 36, and 46 days post-hatch, at which time they were metamorphosing. Regional partitioning of the digestive tract into the buccal cavity, pharynx, oesophagus, post-oesophageal swelling (PES), intestine, and rectum was complete by day 10. Goblet cells were present only in the buccal cavity, pharynx and intestine by day 7, but increased in number and distribution as development continued. By day 29, the posterior zone of the oesophagus had a marked increase in goblet cell density and mucosal folding. At the transition from oesophagus to PES/stomach stratified epithelium with goblet cells changed abruptly to a columnar epithelium with no goblet cells. Multicellular glands in the PES of 36-day larvae allowed it to be defined as a stomach. The distinct brush border of columnar epithelium and the presence of goblet cells characterize the intestine and rectum. All goblet cells throughout the digestive tract were strongly positive for acid mucins as was the luminal layer of the stratified epithelia lining the buccal cavity, pharynx and oesophagus. The PES/stomach epithelium stained weakly for neutral mucins. No mucin staining was associated with the gastric glandular epithelium. The brush borders of the intestine and rectum were strongly positive for combinations of neutral and acid mucins.     

野生与养殖黄鳍鲷消化道形态组织结构

采用常规石蜡组织切片的方法对野生和养殖黄鳍鲷(Sparus latus)消化道的形态组织结构进行了比较观察。结果表明,野生和养殖黄鳍鲷的消化道存在一定差异。(1)形态学研究表明,食道粗而短,胃呈V形,分为贲门部、胃体部和幽门部,胃与肠的连接处有4条幽门盲囊,肠道在体腔内迂回两个回折。野生黄鳍鲷牙齿更为坚硬锋利,体腔中脂肪较少,消化道更为粗短。野生和养殖黄鳍鲷的肠道系数分别为0.71±0.03和0.94±0.12。(2)组织学研究表明,食道黏膜上皮由扁平细胞层和杯状细胞层组成,杯状细胞发达。胃黏膜由单层柱状上皮组成,无杯状细胞,贲门部和胃体部胃腺发达。幽门盲囊组织学特征与肠相似,上皮为柱状上皮,其中的杯状细胞少于肠。肠中,前肠杯状细胞最多,中肠次之,后肠最少。直肠杯状细胞多于肠。野生与养殖黄鳍鲷组织学的区别在于,消化道相同部位养殖鱼的杯状细胞多于野生鱼,野生鱼的肌层厚度大于养殖鱼。黄鳍鲷消化道的形态组织结构与其生活环境和食物是相关的。     

山溪鲵消化道粘膜上皮的扫描电镜研究

用扫描电镜观察了山溪鲵的咽、食管、胃、怕和大肠粘膜上皮表面细微结构及断面的结构特征。发现咽和食道上皮表面有比较宾微脊;胃粘膜上皮表面有微绒毛,周转的长 密集,顶部的短而稀少;胃粘膜上皮表面的微绒毛似苔葡状覆盖在细胞的表面;杯状细胞分布在上皮细胞之间。同时,还讨论了这些结构与机能的关系。     

The gut of the juvenile African lungfish Protopterus annectens: A light and scanning electron microscope study

We describe the microstructure of the alimentary canal of the juvenile lungfish Protopterus annectens. Following the oesophagus, the gut is formed by a long segment that extends down to the pyloric valve. This segment, classically named stomach, is lined by a transitional epithelium but lacks all characteristics of the vertebrate stomach. It has been defined here as the intestinal vestibule. The spiral valve is divided into a first large chamber, which contains mucosal ridges, and a second smooth portion. The entire spiral valve is lined with a pseudostratified columnar epithelium that contains approximately six cell types: enterocytes, goblet cells, ciliated cells, leukocytes, dark pigment cells, and vascular cells. Enterocytes and goblet cells show a high number of cytoplasmic vacuoles. The number and size of the vacuoles, and the number of ciliated cells, decreases from the anterior toward the posterior end, suggesting that most of the digestive processes take place in the anterior part of the spiral valve. The epithelium overlies a lamina propria in the first large chamber and a vascular plexus in the smooth portion. The cloaca has a thick muscular wall covered by a transitional epithelium. An extensive lymphatic system formed by capillaries and lymphatic micropumps is present along the entire wall of the alimentary canal. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The digestive tract of the amberjack Seriola dumerili, Risso: a light and scanning electron microscope study

The histology of the digestive tract of the amberjack ( Seriola dumerili , Risso) was studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. The anterior oesophagus mucosa displays primary and secondary folds lined with a stratified squamous epithelium with fingerprint-like microridges which is substituted, on the top of the oesogaster folds, by a simple columnar epithelium with short microvilli. Only primary folds are present in the stomach. The anterior portion is rich in simple tubular glands, whereas the oesogaster and the pyloric region are devoid of them. Pyloric caeca and anterior and middle intestine mucosa display the same pattern of folding. The dominant cell type is the enterocyte, which exhibits larger and thinner microvilli in the caeca than in the intestine. The columnar epithelium of the rectum is replaced, in the anal sphincter, by a stratified flattened epithelium. Goblet cells are numerous throughout the whole length of the tract with the exception of the initial part of the oesophagus, the oesogaster, the stomach and the anal sphincter. Mucosubstances have been shown to vary in the different regions of the gut: acid mucines are found in the oesophagus, pyloric stomach, caeca, intestine and rectum, whereas neutral mucosubstances dominate in the anterior portion of the stomach. The muscularis is well developed throughout the length of the tract: two layers of striated muscle at the oesophageal level; two layers of smooth muscle in the stomach wall and three at the intestinal level.     

Morphological characterisation of the digestive tract of the catfish Lophiosilurus alexandri Steindachner, 1876 (Siluriformes,Pseudopimelodidae)

The anatomical arrangement of the digestive tract and the length (cm) of the oesophagus and intestine of the catfish Lophiosilurus alexandri were described, and the intestinal coefficient was determined. L. alexandri oesophagus is short, in median position, and presents longitudinally folded mucosa, whilst its epithelium is stratified and non-keratinised, with mucous, claviform and epithelial cells. Stomach has “C” shape, with folded mucosa along cardiac region, disordered in the fundic region, and directed to the sphincter in the pyloric region. Its epithelium is simple prismatic, and cardiac and fundic portions have gastric glands. Cranial intestine is formed by pyloric flexure and descending loop attached to the right side of stomach. Middle intestine is winding and positioned to the right of caudal portion of stomach. Caudal intestine is linear and with a median position up to the anus. Intestinal coefficient was 1.39 ± 0.30 cm. Epithelium is simple prismatic with brush border and contains epithelial and goblet cells. Caudal region has highest concentration of goblet cells. Were detected neutral glycoproteins, carboxylated and sulphated acid glycoconjugates for mucous cells and goblet cells, and neutral glycoproteins for the apical region of gastric epithelial cells. Morphological features could be related to piscivorous species feeding habit.     

A study of the histology and morphology of the digestive tract of the common eel (Anguilla anguilla)

The anatomy and morphology of the digestive tract of the eel was examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The oeosphagus showed complex longitudinal folding; stratified epithelium, columnar epithelium and goblet cells striated muscle fibres formed the thick muscular coat. The pneumatic duct entered the oesophagus anterior to the oesophagastric junction. The Y shaped stomach showed large well developed folds which decreased in size and number towards the pyloric sphincter. Columnar epithelium and gastric gland cells were present, the latter being absent from the pyloric region.
The intestine had a heavily thickened anterior region, signs of convulation were noted prior to the ileorectal valve. Intestinal folding showed a complex reticulate pattern with columnar epithelium and goblet cells present. The mucopolysaccharides were studied in the goblet and columnar cells throughout the regions of the gut. Lymphocytes and eosinophilic type cells were found in the connective tissue of the mucosa throughout the gut. The pancreas was a compact organ with few Islets of Langerhans, beta cells were peripherally situated and alpha cells centrally. The unilobular liver acted as a storage organ for oil and glycogen.     

The anatomy and histology of the alimentary tract of the carnivorous fish the pike Esox lucius L.

The alimentary tract of the pike is described, relating its feeding habits to its intestinal gut histology. It is a carnivorous species having a short oesophagus, pouch-like stomach and a short intestine with two convolutions. Stratified epithelium with columnar cells and many goblet cells are present in the oesophagus, columnar epithelial cells only in the stomach, and both cell types in the intestine.
Eosinophils in the mucosa of the oesophagus originate from connective tissue cells and lymphocytes and neutrophils are present. The lamina propria is composed of a stratum granulosum, stratum compactum, blood vessels and loose areolar tissue. The stratum compactum is a strengthening substance, composed of collagen, characteristic of carnivorous teleosts. The circular and longitudinal muscle layers and serosa are similar to those of other carnivorous teleosts.
The pancreas and liver are briefly described, the pancreas being the unusual compact type not often found in teleosts. The B cells are seen in the periphery and a cells in the centre of the islets. The liver is a unilobular organ, having oil storage as a major function.
The distribution of goblet cell mucin is given, differentiating it into neutral and acid mucosubstances. Nine levels of alimentary tract were examined in the mucin distribution study. The functions of mucin in the pike are digestion, absorption, protection and lubrication.     

Morphology of the epithelium in the alimentary tract of the larval lamprey,Petromyzon marinus L.

The alimentary tract of the ammocoete of the lamprey, Petromyzon marinus L., is divisible into three morphologically distinct regions: the oesophagus, the anterior intestine, and the posterior intestine. The epithelium of the oesophagus possesses mucous, ciliated, and columnar cells and appears to be specialized for movement of food particles. The epithelium of the anterior intestine possesses secretory cells with numerous zymogen granules, ciliated cells, and columnar-absorptive cells. Although some absorption occurs in the anterior intestine, the main function of this region seems to be the release of digestive enzymes and the continued movement of food particles. The epithelium of the posterior intestine is entirely comprised of columnar absorptive cells, namely tall (light and dark) columnar and low columnar, and the primary function of this region is one of absorption. The epithelium of the hindgut resembles that of the archinephric duct (Youson and McMillan, '71). The morphology of the alimentary tract of ammocoetes suggests that some differentiation and renewal of cell types may occur in the epithelium of the three regions. Comparison of the alimentary tract of larval lamprey with that of other vertebrates indicates that the gut of the ammocoete represents a less specialized level of vertebrate development.     

The ontogeny of the alimentary tract of larval pandora, Pagellus erythrinus L.

The ontogenesis of the alimentary tract and its associated structures (liver, pancreas, gall bladder) was studied in common pandora Pagellus eythrinus L., a promising species for diversification in Mediterranean aquaculture. Mass production of pandora has been limited so far by high larval and juvenile mortalities, which appear to be related to nutritional deficiencies. The development of the larval digestive system was studied histologically from hatching (0 DAH) until day 50 (50 DAH) in reared specimens, obtained by natural spawning from a broodstock adapted to captivity. At first feeding (3–4 DAH) both the mouth and anus had opened and the digestive tract was differentiated in four portions: buccopharynx, oesophagus, incipient stomach and intestine. The pancreas, liver and gall bladder were also differentiated at this stage. Soon after the commencement of exogenous feeding (5–6 DAH), the anterior intestinal epithelium showed large vacuoles indicating the capacity for absorption of lipids, whereas acidophilic supranuclear inclusions indicating protein absorption were observed in the posterior intestinal epithelium. Both the bile and main pancreatic ducts had opened in the anterior intestine, just after the pyloric sphincter, at this stage. Intestinal coiling was apparent since 4 DAH, while mucosal folding began at 10 DAH. Scattered mucous cells occurred in the oral cavity and the intestine, while they were largely diffused in the oesophagus. Gastric glands and pyloric caeca were firstly observed at 28 DAH and appeared well developed by 41 DAH, indicating the transition from larval to juvenile stage and the acquisition of an adult mode of digestion.     

Microanatomy of the digestive tract and accessory organs of the Japanese flathead (Inegocia japonica Cuvier, 1829) (Scorpaeniformes,Platycephalidae)

The Japanese flathead, Inegocia japonica Cuvier, 1829 is a commercially important fish in small-scale coastal fisheries in Thailand; however, an explanation of its digestive biology is missing. This study describes the digestive tract and accessory organs of I. japonica, using morphological and histological methods. The fish (10 individual fish, 24.5 ± 0.98 cm in total length) were obtained from Libong Island, Thailand. Integrated morphological and histological data showed that the digestive tract was composed of oesophagus, stomach, pyloric caeca and intestine, with accessory organs. All digestive tracts consisted of four layers, including mucosa, submucosa, muscularis and serosa. Two stomach regions were identified (cardiac and pyloric stomachs). Several clusters of gastric glands were identified in the cardiac stomach. Each gland was a unicellular structure. The apical surface of this gland contained the vacuolar cell. The intestine was lined with a simple columnar structure with goblet cells that was similar to pyloric caecum. Goblet cells were rare in the anterior intestine, in contrast to the posterior intestine where goblet cells were abundant. The numerous of hepatocyte was mostly observed in the liver, whereas an exocrine acinar cell of pancreas was also identified. The results of our observations provided the first information of the digestive tract of I. japonica and can be applied to advanced study, such as physiology and histopathology.     

亚东鲑消化系统的形态学和组织学观察

亚东鲑消化系统包括消化道和消化腺。消化道分为明显的食道、胃和肠等。食道粘膜为复层上皮,其中含有杯状细胞和味蕾,胃、肠粘膜为单层柱状上皮,其中散布较多的杯状细胞。消化腺包括肝脏和胰腺,肝小叶分界明显,胰腺外分泌部由腺泡组成,内分泌部即胰岛分散存在于外分泌部之间。     

Histochemical and ultrastructural study of the digestive tract of the tortoise Testudo graeca (Testudines)

The digestive tract of the tortoise Testudo graeca (Testudines) was investigated by means of light and electron microscopy. The esophagus of T. graeca was lined by two types of epithelium: non-keratinized stratified squamous in the upper portion and stratified columnar in the lower. The lamina propria of the esophagus contained tubular or tubuloacinar glands. The mucosa of the stomach showed similar characteristics to those of other reptiles. The small intestine exhibited longitudinal folds lined by absorptive and goblet cells. The large intestine was lined by columnar mucous cells. Within the lamina propria of the large intestine, masses of 10–15 epithelial cells connecting with the surface epithelium by means of slender cytoplasmic processes were observed. A battery of six lectins (Con-A, PNA, WGA, DBA, SBA, and LTA) was used to identify the epithelial mucins. WGA and DBA reacted with all types of mucous cells throughout the alimentary canal. PNA was only unreactive in the intestine, LTA in the esophagus, and SBA in the large intestine. These results indicate a similar lectin-binding pattern throughout the gut of T. graeca.     

Morphology and histology of the alimentary tracts of ambassidae (Cuvier) (Teleostei) in relation to feeding

The gross morphology and histology of the alimentary tracts of three species of glassy perchlet; Ambassis productus, A. natalensis, and A. gymnocephalus from estuaries on the southeast coast of Africa were investigated. The anatomy of the digestive tracts in all three species was found to be similar. Well-developed dentition and pharyngeal teeth together with a distensible stomach and a low relative gut length (RGL) suggest a predatory and carnivorous habit for all three species. The relative gut lengths of Ambassis species from different estuarine systems are compared‥ Differences in RGL for A. productus and A. natalensis from the Kosi and St Lucia systems with fish from Mdloti estuary are discussed. It is suggested that decreased RGL for fish at Mdloti is attributable to decreased food availability and not to a lack in the calorific content of their diet. Histological investigation revealed the presence of the following regions: a pharynx; an oesophagus; a stomach differentiated into cardiac and pyloric regions; a duodenum or upper intestine; an ileum or lower intestine; and a rectum. Pyloric and rectal sphincters are present. The tunics of the above regions are described. The epithelium of the oesophagus contains taste buds and numerous mucus cells, and varies from stratified anteriorly to simple columnar posteriorly. The muscularis comprises dorsally and ventrally located inner muscle bundles and an outer circular layer. Both layers consist of striated fibres. Gastric glands are present in the mucosa of the cardiac stomach but are absent in the pylorus. Columnar absorbing cells and goblet cells are present in the epithelium of the upper and lower intestine. The rectum is distinguished from the intestine by the proliferation of mucous-secreting cells which are thought to aid defecation.     

Comparative morphology and cytology of the alimentary tract in lizardfishes (Teleostei,Aulopiformes, Synodontidae)

Fishelson, L., Golani, D., Russell, B., Galil, B. and Goren, M. 2012. Comparative morphology and cytology of the alimentary tract in lizardfishes (Teleostei, Aulopiformes, Synodontidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 93 : 308–318. This study compares the morphology and cytology of the alimentary tract in several species of lizardfishes (Synodontidae, Teleostei) of the genera Saurida, Synodus, and Trachinocephalus, in relation to their diets and bathymetric distribution. All the studied species feature a large, pouch‐like stomach, with the intestine beginning at the stomach’s anterior apex, adjacent to the esophageal opening. In the more ‘microphagous’Synodus spp. and Trachinocephalus, the intestine bends twice before reaching the anus, whereas in the more ‘macrophagous’Saurida spp., the intestine extends straight to the anus. The species differ also in the number and form of their pyloric ceca, the length of the intestine and in the percentile relationship between stomach length and standard body length. Along the alimentary tract folds and villi protrude into the lumen, their numbers differing on various sites of the tract. Three cell types make up the gastric gland system: (1) pyramidal cells forming the tubular gastric glands in the lamina propria; among them are large, pale secretary cells; (2) groups of neck cells that surround the pits of the tubules; and (3) groups of large and granule‐rich cells at the end portion of the stomach. All species are carnivorous and uniform in morphology, the differences in the alimentary tract found between the more shallow‐water species of Synodus and Trachinocephalus, and the deeper‐dwelling Saurida, seem to be only partly correlated with the differences in diet.     

Ultrastructural features of the gut in the white sturgeon, Acipenser transmontanus

Electron-microscopic examinations of the sturgeon gut were performed. Oesophageal goblet cells were abundant in the stratified epithelium. The ultrastructural features of the secretory granules of the oesophageal and intestinal goblet cells were quite similar to those of other vertebrates. Lobules of multilocular adipose tissue were observed in the deep tunica propriasubmucosa of the oesophagus, in close association with vasculature and large fibre bundles of myelinated and unmyelinated axons. Similarly composed nerve fibre bundles were observed in the cardiac stomach, too. The presence of myelinated axons is an unusual feature in the vertebrate enteric nervous system. Cardiac and fundic zones of the stomach showed an epithelium with columnar ciliated and non-ciliated cells, the latter equipped with fuzzy microvilli. Cells lining the tubular gastric proper glands were markedly granulated. Intestinal superficial epithelium was columnar and contained ciliated, as well as non-ciliated and goblet cells. In the tunica propria all over the intestine, the presence and ultrastructure of granulated cells was in addition described. Intraepithelial granulated leukocytes were seen throughout the alimentary canal. Various types of endocrine cells were seen both in the stomach and in the intestine, the size of their granules was measured and their ultrastructure described and compared to that of mammalian cell types.     

A histological study of the organogenesis of the digestive system in bay snook Petenia splendida Günther, 1862 from hatching to the juvenile stage

In bay snook (Petenia splendida) larvae the histological development of the digestive system and swim bladder, and their relative timing of differentiation were studied from hatching to 45 days post‐hatch (dph) at 29°C. Newly hatched larvae showed a simple digestive tract, which appeared as a straight undifferentiated tube lined by a single layer of columnar epithelial cells (future enterocytes). The anatomical and histological differentiation of the digestive tract and accessory glands was a very intense, asynchronous process, proceeding from the distal to the anterior part. The intestine was the first region to differentiate (9 days post‐hatch – dph, 6.5 mm SL), and the oesophagus the last (21 dph, 8.4 mm SL). At the onset of feeding, the digestive system was organized into different functional and histologically differentiated sections, such as the buccopharynx, oesophagus, glandular stomach, and anterior and posterior intestine. This organization resembled that of the juveniles, with the exception of pharyngeal teeth and buccopharyngeal as well as oesophageal goblet cells, which proliferated later during the mixed feeding period. Histological observations revealed that bay snook larvae retained endogenous yolk reserves until 24 dph (8.9 ± 0.4 mm SL), which might be helpful for weaning this species onto a compound diet. The important lipidic accumulation observed in the intestinal mucosa, liver, and pancreas in fish fed a compound trout diet indicated that although fish were able to digest and absorb lipids, the diet formulation did not fit the nutritional requirements of early juveniles of this species. The ontogeny of the digestive system followed the same general pattern as in most cichlid species described to date. However, we detected species‐specific differences in the timing of differentiation that were related to their reproductive guild. According to the histological results, some recommendations regarding the intensive culture of this species are also provided.