A Three-Dimensional Study of the Embryonic Development and Postnatal Maturation of Rat Duodenal Villi

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Abstract
The embryonic and postnatal development of rat duodenal villi was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was clearly demonstrated that villous primordia start their development as elevations of epithelial cell masses on day 17 of gestation and rapidly attain the features of finger-like primitive vilil on day 18. It is suggested that the globular appearance of the villous surface reflects a dynamic turnover of epithelial cells during this period. It is also shown that villi are finger-like at birth (day 22 of gestation) but gradually become ridge-shaped by 4 weeks after birth when the animals start to live on solid food. The postnatal maturation of the villi is discussed in relation to the mechanism of transformation of the shape of villi.