Presence of c-kit positive cells in fetal and adult bovine forestomachs

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) have been reported to regulate gastrointestinal motility. We investigated the distribution and the morphological and morphometric characteristics of the immunohistochemical reaction against c-kit in the forestomachs of fetal, newborn and adult cows. The anti-c-kit reaction revealed different populations of ICC among age groups and organs. ICC were more numerous and smaller in fetuses. Larger ICC were identified in newborns, except for those in the rumen. During the earliest stages of development, ICC were abundant in the inner layer of the muscularis and were consistently associated with this layer. In all samples, ICC were found in the outer layer of the tunica muscularis. ICC were found between the two muscle layers in the omasum at all ages; however, they were identified only in the rumen of the adult. Our study demonstrated that ICC are present in the forestomach of bovines.