Identificadores de transportadores e morfometria intestinal em codornas japonesas(COTURNIX JAPONICA) de 1 a 49 dias de idade.

Abstract

This study evaluated the morphometry, morphology, intestinal villus density and the presence of glucose transporters in the small intestine of Japanese quails from hatch to 49 days of age. A hundred and sixty Japanese quails were distributed into 8 cages (20 birds/cage) and were fed corn-soybean meal diet. The birds were weighed at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49 days of age and 6 birds were randomly chosen for sampling. Duodenum, jejunum and ileum samples were taken and processed for light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Villus height, crypt depth, goblet cell counts and density of intestinal villi were assessed. Body weight increased linearly. There was a quadratic effect on villus height and crypt depth in duodenum, jejunum and ileum according to age. Goblet cell counts increased with age in the ileum. The development of the intestinal mucosa was different between segments and ages, with different intensities. The mucosa developed until 41, 40, and 45 days in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, respectively. This is the first report on the mRNA expression of glucose transporters (SGLT1 and GLUT2) in the jejunum of Japanese quails. SGLT1 and GLUT2 mRNA expression was affected by age.