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Histochemical Distribution of Enzymes in the Small Intestine of Young Milk-Fed Calves

Histokjemisk fordeling av enzymer i tynntarmen hos unge melkefôrede kalver

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 21, pages 402–414 (1980)Cite this article

Abstract

The histochemical distribution of selected enzymes were examined in the small intestine of 5 about 3-week-old normal calves fed on whole cow’s milk. Alkaline phosphatase and β-D-galactosidase (= lactase) in the epithelial brush border, and non-specific esterase in the cytoplasm showed a strong reaction in the villi of the anterior small intestine and a marked decrease in the posterior regions. Aminopeptidase in the brush border of the villi showed a reverse distribution, with the strongest reaction in the posterior small intestine. Adenosine-triphosphate-splitting enzyme in the epithelial brush border, acid phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells gave a relatively uniform reaction in the villi throughout the small intestine. A fluoride-resistant acid phosphatase was demonstrated in the brush border of the villi in the anterior small intestine. The distribution of enzymes demonstrated in this study was generally compatible with the known absorptive functions of the various parts of the small intestine.

Sammendrag

Den histokjemiske fordeling av visse epiteliale enzymer ble studert i tynntarmen hos 5 omkring 3 uker garnie kalver. Kalvene var friske og ble foret med helmeik. Alkalisk fosfatase og β-D-galaktosidase (= laktase) i „børstesømmen” av epitelcellene langs villi samt uspesifikk esterase i epitelcellenes cytoplasma ga en sterk reaksjon i fremre tynntarmsavsnitt med en markert nedgang mot bakre avsnitt. Aminopeptidase i „børstesømmen” langs villi viste en motsatt fordeling og sterkest reaksjon i bakre avsnitt. Adenosintrifosfat spaltende enzym i „børstesømmen” langs villi samt sur fosfatase og oksalsyredehydrogenase i epitelcellenes cytoplasma viste en relativt jevn fordeling mellom tarmavsnittene. En fluoridresistent sur fosfatase ble registrert i „børstesømmen” av villi i fremre tynntarmsavsnitt. Fordelingen av enzymer som er beskrevet i denne studiën synes generelt å vaere i samsvar med de kjente forhold når det gjelder den absorptive funksjon av de forskjeilige tynntarmsavsnitt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Veterinary College of Norway, the National Veterinary Institute, P. O. Box 8146, Dep., Oslo 1, Oslo, Norway

    Thor Landsverk

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  1. Thor Landsverk
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This study was supported by grants from the Agricultural Research Council of Norway.

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Landsverk, T. Histochemical Distribution of Enzymes in the Small Intestine of Young Milk-Fed Calves. Acta Vet Scand 21, 402–414 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03546873

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147