Morphology of the intestine of prefeeding and feeding adult lampreys,Petromyzon marinus (L): The mucosa of the posterior intestine and hindgut

The epithelium of the posterior intestine and hindgut of recently metamorphosed adult lampreys (Petromyzon marinus L.) prior to and during spontaneous feeding was examined using light and electron microscopy. These two regions differ slightly in their general morphology but possess the same mucosal cell types. Included are caveolated absorptive and mucous cells, which are not present in more cephalic regions of the intestine, and ciliated and enteroendocrine cells. During feeding, the caveolated cells undergo dramatic transformation in their structure, namely, through the acquisition of numerous heterophagic vacuoles. Due to their morphology and to the fact that there are low amounts of lipid, it is suspected that caveolated cells are primarily involved in the absorption of protein components from the ingested host blood and body fluids. Iron in caveolated cells may result from the degradation of ingested heme or reflect the excretion of bile products at this location in the intestine. Mucous cells are likely responsible for lubrication of the luminal surface and may be important as a stem cell for the mucosal epithelium.