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Morpho-histological study of the digestive tract and the annex glands of

Chinchilla laniger

Conference Paper · May 2014

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 Călămar C.D. et al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2014, 47 (1)

Morpho-histological study of the digestive tract and the

annex glands of Chinchilla laniger
Călin Daniel Călămar1, Silvia Pătruică2*, Gabi Dumitrescu2, Marian Bura2, Ioan
Bănăţean Dunea2, Marioara Nicula2
1
Zoological Garden, Calea Sever Bocu, Timisoara, Romania
2
Banat’s University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine "King Michael I of Romania" from Timisoara,
Calea Aradului, 119, 300645, Timisoara, Romania

Abstract
No detailed histological study of the segments of the digestive tract and of the post-diaphragmatic annex glands of
Chinchilla laniger is available in the literature, to our knowledge. The study presented draws attention to the
morphological characteristics of the digestive tract and their involvement in the digestive process, with important
implications for the composition of formula diets. Histological study of the digestive tract and annex glands (liver
and pancreas) of Chinchilla laniger shows no major differences from other mammals. The walls of the oesophagus,
stomach and intestine are composed of four layers: the mucosa, sub-mucosa, muscularis mucosa and serosa (the
fourth layer of the oesophagus being called the adventitia). A noteworthy feature of the species is the generous
development of the caecum in proportion to body size, a characteristic shared with other rodent species.
Keywords: annex glands, Chinchilla laniger, digestive tract, histological study.

1. Introduction disease resistance. Immunoglobulin levels have

been reported to be 1.5 times higher during spring
The chinchilla is an animal that is very easy to than during autumn and winter if feed is correctly
rear, maintain and breed; it is very playful and has provided [6,7].
excellent fur. It is very well rated in the The feeding regime also determines the degree to
international market and for many breeders, even which the organism can tolerate toxic substances
amateurs, it represents a very profitable possibility and unfavourable environmental conditions [8].
[1]. Incorrect feeding has more rapid and serious
Due to the fact that the chinchilla has high quality consequences for the young since their metabolic
fur, edible meat, a vegetarian diet and few special rate is higher, and less equilibrated, than that of
requirements, it is considered to be “the fur animal the adults [3,9,10].
par excellence” [2]. The objective of our detailed histological study of
Success in breeding chinchillas is highly the digestive tract and the post-diaphragmatic
dependent on correct feeding [3]. It has been annex glands of Chinchilla laniger was to give
observed that between 75% and 86% of the special attention to any morphological
diseases characteristic of this species is particularities and their significance for the
attributable to poor nutrition [4]. Feeding digestive process.
represents the most important factor in The results should prove useful for specifying
determining body development [5], fecundity and correct rates of feeding and for deciding how best
to regulate the nutrition of animals maintained in

* Corresponding author: Silvia Pătruică, an intensive breeding system. The digestive tract
[email protected] is involved in the digestive process as follows:
deglutition of food (oesophagus); mixing of the

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food with gastric secretions, attrition and tubes with large lumens, showing as circles or
homogenisation and biochemical cleavage of ellipsoids in cross section, lined with simple
macromolecular nutrients into simpler cuboidal epithelium.
components (stomach), with further cleavage to The muscularis externa is made up of two layers
produce simple absorbable monomers taking place of striated muscle fibres with the circular muscle
in the small intestine [11]. layer on the inside and the longitudinal on the
outside (Figure 1).

2. Materials and methods

The biological material was taken from 14 healthy

adult individuals (7 male and 7 female) of
Chinchilla laniger from the SC Falnic SRL farm
in Timisoara, Romania (Europe). The individuals
were humanely killed using overdoses of
intramuscularly administered ketamine. Samples
of oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, liver and pancreas were taken from each
individual. Histological preparations have been Figure 1. Oesophagus (HE 20X): 1. –stratified
made by the method [11]. squamous epithelium; 2 – chorion; 3 – submucosa; 4 –
The images were taken using an Olympus CX41 oesophageal gland; 5 – muscularis externa; 6 –
microscope. capillary blood

The oesophagus passes through the cervical area

3. Results and discussion and the thoracic cavity, and after passing through
the diaphragm enters the stomach at the cardiac
Oesophagus sphincter. In the cervical region it lies dorsal to the
The oesophagus is a digestive conduit, trachea. The microscopic sections show the organ
approximately 9 cm long, stretching from the structure as made up of four layers: mucosa,
pharynx to the stomach. The lining mucosa has a submucosa, muscularis externa and adventitia.
thick even stratified squamous epithelium, and has Stomach
layers of smooth muscule cells. The mucosa, The stomach is located in the abdominal cavity,
slightly wrinkled, is composed of a stratified retro-diaphragm and retro-hepatic in a vertical
squamous epithelium and lamina propria. position. It has an oval aspect with two arches: the
The following cell types can be observed in the small arch, posterior and right oriented, and the
epithelium: cuboidal basement cells with intensely large arch, ventral and left oriented; two
basophilic cytoplasm, arranged in a single layer on extremities (left and right) and two orifices: the
the basement membrane; large polyhedral cells, cardiac, for communication with the oesophagus,
arranged in several layers, and glandular cells. On and the pyloric, for communication with the small
the luminal surface the epithelium is covered in a intestine. The stomach wall is made up of four
thick mucus layer which facilitates bolus passage. concentric layers: the mucosa, sub mucosa, the
The adventitia is the external layer made up of muscularis externa and the serosa. This structure
connective tissue. The lamina propria of the is common to other mammals [12,13,14].
mucosa is represented by a thin layer of loose The mucosa is composed of the epithelium and the
connective tissue containing two cell types with a lamina propria. The simple epithelium is formed
defensive role. The muscularis mucosa is thin and of columnar cells. It is folded into the lamina
formed of two layers of smooth muscle cells. propria, forming the gastric pits into which the
The sub-mucosa is a thick layer of loose gastric glands discharge, the majority of these
connective tissue containing collagen fibres, being of simple tubular type (Figure 2). The
fibroblasts and numerous blood vessels with large lamina propria of inter-glandular connective tissue
lumens (arterioles, capillaries and venules). Here is reduced and supports a rich network of
and there mucus-secreting glands are visible as capillaries. The gastric glands have narrow lumens

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bounded by a single-layered epithelium, in which the epithelium extends into the simple tubular
are to be found, at the neck of the gland, Lieberkühn intestinal glands.
replacement cells which are small with spherical The villi surfaces are covered in absorbative cells,
nuclei; chief cells, with intensely staining nuclei the simple columnar epithelium bearing a brush
and richly granular cytoplasm (indicating their border (Figure 3).
secretory function); and polyhedral parietal cells
lying along the length of the gland.

Figure 3. Intestinal villi (HE 20X): 1 – simple

Figure 2. Gastric glands (HE 20X): 1 – primary cells; 2 columnar epithelium; 2- chorion; 3 – lymphoid
– parietal cells; 3 – capillary infiltrate; 4 – white blood cells in transepithelial
migration
The muscularis mucosa is positioned beneath the
The epithelium is made up of enterocytes
lamina propria and is made up of two layers of
(absorbent cells). The basal nuclei of these cells
smooth muscle cells. The submucosa is well
are spheroidal with evident nucleoli and
developed, being made up of smooth muscle cells
heterochromatic granules.
arranged in three layers: inner oblique, middle
Leucocyte migration, from the lamina propria
circular and outer longitudinal. The serosa, also
towards the lumen, can often be observed. The
called the tunica externa, provides a surface for
connective tissue of the lamina propria, located in
the stomach.
the axis of the villi, is made up of loose connective
Small Intestine
tissue in which fibroblasts, collagen fibres,
The small intestine is a long uniform segment,
clusters of smooth muscle cells, an extended
divided, as in other mammalian species, into
network of capillaries with large lumens and a rich
duodenum, jejunum and ileum [15]. The
leucocyte population (especially of
duodenum is a relatively short segment (approx.
polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leucocytes,
12 cm) into which the secretion ducts of the
acidophiles and lymphocytes) can be seen.
pancreas and liver drain [16].
The inter-glandular lamina propria encloses, like
The jejunum, due to its length of approximately 90
the lamina propria located in the axis of the villi, a
cm, is thrown into numerous interlinked sequential
rich leucocyte infiltrate, as well as many blood
folds, and is linked to the abdominal cavity by the
capillaries with large lumens.
large mesentery.
Beneath the lamina propria, is a well-developed
Histological sections of this organ show that its
muscularis mucosamade up of two superposed
wall is made up of four concentric layers: mucosa,
layers of smooth muscle cells: internal-circular
submucosa, muscularis external and serosa. This
and external-longitudinal.
structure has also been observed in other
The sub-mucosa tunic is formed of loose
mammalian species [17].
connective tissue and provides support for the
The mucosal and the submucosal layers form a
vascular and nerve network. The musculature has
series of folds named the Kerkring valves. The
two layers of smooth muscle cells: internal-
mucosa has many intestinal villi. These show a
circular and external-longitudinal.
rectangular shape in section, being thin and very
The ileum has smaller villi, a greater number of
long, and bearing a simple columnar epithelium,
goblet cells and well-developed lymphoid tissue.
the cells of which have, at their apical poles, a
This structure has been observed by [13].
conspicuous brush borders. At the base of the villi

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 Călămar C.D. et al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2014, 47 (1)

The epithelium is made up of enterocytes thick lamina propria as far as the the muscularis
(absorbent cells). The basal nuclei of these cells mucosa; these open onto the mucosal surface. The
are spheroidal with evident nucleoli and simple epithelium contains a large number of
heterochromatic granules. goblets in comparison to the mucosa of the small
Leucocyte migration, from the lamina propria intestine.
towards the lumen, can often be observed. The The muscularis mucosa is reduced to two thin
connective tissue of the lamina propria, located in layers of smooth muscle cells.
the axis of the villi, is made up of loose connective The submucosa is made up of loose connective
tissue in which fibroblasts, collagen fibres, tissue and is characterised by a massive
clusters of smooth muscle cells, an extended development of lymphatic follicles. The
network of capillaries with large lumens and a rich muscularis externa is organised in two concentric
leucocyte population (especially of layers of smooth muscle cells: internal-circular
polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leucocytes, and external-longitudinal.
acidophiles and lymphocytes) can be seen. Colon
The inter-glandular lamina propria encloses, like Microscopic sections of the colon reveal the
the lamina propria located in the axis of the villi, a presence of numerous plicae, which are formed by
rich leucocyte infiltrate, as well as many blood the mucosa and submucosa. The wall is organised
capillaries with large lumens. in four superposed layers: mucosa, submucosa,
Beneath the lamina propria, is a well-developed muscularis and serosa. The mucosa is made up of
muscularis mucosamade up of two superposed the epithelium and lamina propria (Figure 4); the
layers of smooth muscle cells: internal-circular epithelium is simple columnar type with an
and external-longitudinal. evident brush border.
The sub-mucosa tunic is formed of loose
connective tissue and provides support for the
vascular and nerve network. The musculature has
two layers of smooth muscle cells: internal-
circular and external-longitudinal.
The ileum has smaller villi, a greater number of
goblet cells and well-developed lymphoid tissue.
This structure has been observed by [13].
Large intestine
The large intestine is divided, as in other
mammals, into three segments: caecum, colon and
rectum. As a particularity of this species, the Figure 4. Colon (HE 20X): 1 – epithelium; 2 –
caecum is very well developed. This characteristic chorion; 3 – glands; 4 – goblet cells; 5 – muscularis
has also been described by [15], for the Coypu. mucosa
This segment is haustrated (Haustra) forming two
concentric loops and is approximately 60 cm long. The absorbent cells are tall with long oval
Microscopic study reveals that the caecum wall is intensely basophilic nuclei, situated in the inferior
organised in four layers: the mucosa, submucosa, part of the cells. The lamina propria includes the
muscularis mucosa and serosa. This is the structure tubular intestinal glands, the surface of which is
that has been observed in other mammals [18]. made up of mucus-secreting goblet cells. .
The mucosa and the submucosa form a series of The submucosa is formed of loose connective
longitudinal folds with the mucosa being a simple tissue which includes collagen fibres, fibroblasts
columnar epithelium. The cells have intensely and many blood vessels and lymphoid formations
basophilic spheroid or oval nuclei, e at the base of (Peyer’s patches).
the cytoplasm, and on their apical pole bear clear The muscularis externa is organised in two layers
microvilli. A small number of goblet cells can be of smooth muscle fibres: internal-circular and
seen among the columnar cells of the epithelium. external-longitudinal.
The lamina propria is formed of loose connective Pancreas
tissue in which are to be found many lymphoid The pancreas is positioned on the large arch of the
and simple tubular glands that pass through the stomach and the beginning of the duodenum. It is
made up of disseminated lobes.

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 Călămar C.D. et al./Scientific Papers: Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 2014, 47 (1)

The lobes are composed of secretion units, serous nucleolus is either centrally positioned or
acini which represent the exocrine part of the eccentric (near the nuclear envelope). Hepatocyte
organ. They are sphere-like, slightly oval, small in cytoplasm shows significant granulation
size and of dark aspect. They are lined with suggesting intense secretory activity.
conical cylindrical cells with spheroid nuclei. The Between the hepatocyte cords lie the sinusoidal
cytoplasm is rich in granular secretion. Among the capillaries, which have large lumens lined with
serous acini there are a few cells organised in endothelial cells. Among the endothelial cells
cords attached to the blood capillaries (Figure 5). there are a few long cells with long oval deeply
These are the islets of Langherhans, which have staining nuclei. These Kupffer cells
an endocrine function. This structure has been (macrophages) have a defensive function.
described in mice by many authors [19]. Inter-lobular hepatic canals are found in the inter-
lobular spaces; these are lined with simple
cuboidal epithelium, one or two arterioles and a
venule with a large lumen (Figure 6).

Figure 5. Pancreas (HE 20X): 1 – pancreatic lobules; 2

–acinus; 3 – interlobular connective tissue; 4 – blood
vessels; 5 – secretory ducts

The secretion is collected at lobe level, in canals

lined with simple cubical epithelium. The inter-
lobular drainage canals, with their larger lumens
are lined with simple columnar epithelium. Figure 6. Section through liver lobule (HE 40X): 1 –
Liver cords of hepatocytes; 2 – sinusoidal capillary;
The liver is situated posterior to the diaphragm, 3 – central lobular vein
having two sides (diaphragm and visceral) and a
membranous integument. The diaphragm side is 4. Conclusions
convex, and the visceral one has the hepatic hilus,
where the vessels and nerves enter and the extra- After histological study of the segments of the
hepatic billiary ducts exit. The gall bladder lies on digestive tract and annex glands (liver and
the visceral side in a depression. pancreas) of the chinchilla conclusion is that these
The liver integument has two edges: posterior and structures do not present significant differences in
ventral. The posterior edge has the oesophageal comparison with other mammals.
notch and the caudal vein notch, and the ventral As a particularity of this species, the caecum is
edge has deep notches that divide the liver into very well developed.
five lobes: right, square, left, left intermediary and
caudate. References
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