J. Kocisova et al., SEASONAL EFFECTS OF FEEDING ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE RUMINAL MUCOSA EPITHELIUM AND RUMINAL BACTERIA IN THE FALLOW-DEER (DAMA-DAMA L), ACT VET B, 64(3-4), 1995, pp. 231
The multilayered epithelium of ruminal mucosa in fallow-deer was inves
tigated in the course of four seasons of the year. A total of 16 anima
ls was studied, with 4 individuals in each group. Except for winter wh
en they were offered additional feed, the animals grazed. Excisions of
ruminal mucosa were processed using the routine methods for electronm
icrospical study. Cells of the multilayered epithelium were compared w
ithin experimental groups (spring, summer, autumn, winter). Each layer
of the epithelium consisted of typical cells (basal, parabasal, inter
mediary, granular, transitional, keratinized). Intercellular spaces of
different widths were found in individual layers and groups of animal
s. The widest spaces were found in the basal layer in the groups sprin
g and summer. Cytoplasmic projections of adjoining cells were connecte
d by desmosomes. Mitochondria, indicators of metabolic processes, were
most numerous in the basal and intermedial cells in animals studied i
n the spring and summer. A continuous layer of transitional cells was
found in summer and partially in spring. Ruminal bacteria were found t
o adhere to the surface of keratinized cells and also among ther cells
. It is concluded that the observed seasonal changes in ruminal mucosa
of the fallow deer are a result of mucosal adaptation to various type
s of diets.