The relationship of ultrastructural and cytochemical features to absorptive activity in the goldfish intestine

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Abstract
In the adult goldfish, Carassius auratus (a stomachless freshwater teleost), there is a striking proximal‐to‐distal gradient in the microscopic appearance of the intestine. This gradient is correlated, moreover, with differences in the site of absorption of lipid and protein. The proximal regions (intestinal bulb and anterior intestine) have a greater surface area, manifested by elongated mucosal ridges in which the epithelial cells have regularly arranged closely spaced microvilli. The distal region (posterior intestine) has less overall surface area, but the epithelium exhibits the typical ultrastructural features of pinocytosis, namely extensive invagination of the luminal surface membrane and massive accumulation of vesicles and vacuoles in the apical cytoplasm. In addition, a conspicuous PAS‐positive supranuclear “body” is visible with the light microscope. Administered triglyceride is absorbed exclusively by the epithelium of the anterior regions, where presumably, it must be hydrolyzed prior to uptake. Protein (horseradish peroxidase), on the other hand, is absorbed primarily in the most distal region, where the epithelium appears to be equipped for the uptake of large intact molecules. These regional differences are discussed in relation to comparable differences in the mammalian intestine, especially during development.