Influence of conventionalization on cecal wall structure of germ-free Wistar rats: quantitative light and qualitative electron microscopic observations.

The structural changes of the cecal wall in germ-free rats were observed at regular intervals after the inoculation of fecal microflora from conventional rats. Quantitative light microscopy showed that most of the elements in the cecal wall increased at 12 or 24 h and reached peak values at 4 days after inoculation. On the 7th day, they decreased approximately to the values for conventional rats. The crypts were bent or widely open till 24 h but were not after the 4th day. Hyperplasia of the crypt epithelial cells including mucous-type cells was observed following microbial inoculation. Electron microscopy revealed that most of the epithelial cells lining the mucosa were typical columnar cells. Desquamation of the epithelial cells and contraction of the muscle fibers were often seen on 4th day. The mucous-type cells were divided into two types, goblet and non-goblet mucous-type cells. Reduction of cecal volume after microbial inoculation may be mainly caused by muscle contraction in the early period and hyperplasia and desquamation of the epithelial cells may suggest their role as the first and non-specific defense line prior to operation of the specific immune system.