S. Regodon et al., COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS OF THE EPITHELIUM OF THE NON-GLANDULAR STOMACH COMPARTMENTS OF MERINO SHEEP DURING DEVELOPMENT, ANAT HISTOL, 25(4), 1996, pp. 233-241
A total of 74 embryos and fetuses were used in a comparative analysis
of the epithelium of the non-glandular stomach compartments of merino
sheep during development. The mechanical protection showed by the tegu
mentary epithelium in the superficial layers of the rumen, reticulum a
nd omasum is supported by a buffer system of neutral mucopolysaccharid
es secreted by the deeper strata. Neutral mucopolysaccharides first ap
peared in epithelial cells at 46 days of fetal life. Acid mucopolysacc
harides, mucins, and mucoid compounds were not detected. Growth curves
and formulas were constructed for the epithelial layers.