Microvascular circulation of the small intestine in horses.
Abstract: The microvascular anatomic features of the small intestine was described by correlating results of microangiography, light microscopy, gross studies, and scanning electron microscopy of vascular replicas in 14 horses. After heparinization, the horses were euthanatized, a length of jejunum was transected, and blood was flushed free of the circulation, using isotonic NaCl solution. In six horses, the circulatory system was perfused with a modified radiopaque medium and evaluated radiographically. These sections were then evaluated by standard histologic methods. Sections from 8 horses were perfused with 1 of 2 types of plastics and studied grossly or by scanning electron microscopy. The marginal arterial arcade gives rise to vessels that enter the jejunum at the mesenteric angle. These vessels penetrated either directly, by branching and entering on both sides of the mesenteric angle, or supplying only 1 side of the mesenteric angle. All these vessels continued in the submucosa branching extensively, forming a submucosal plexus. This submucosal plexus supplied the tunica muscularis, tunica serosa, and the mucosa. Vessels within the 2 muscle layers ran parallel to the muscle fibers and, consequently, perpendicular to each other. The arterial supply to the mucosa penetrated the muscularis mucosae and branched to supply 2 mucosal capillary networks. An eccentrically placed arteriole penetrated the base of the villus and spiralled to the tip where it "fountained" into a mesh-like capillary network, which descended peripherally in the villus to drain via 1 to 3, but most commonly 2 venules. Venules from adjacent villi united and drained via the submucosal veins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1992-06-01 PubMed ID: 1626791
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research reveals the characteristics of the small intestine’s microvascular anatomy in horses, achieved by analyzing results of different microscopy methods and vascular replicas in 14 horses. This study informs understanding of horses’ intestinal blood supply and circulation, contributing to better medical practices in equine health.
Methods and Procedure
- Heparin was used to ensure the blood did not clot in the horses during the process. Once this was complete, the horses were euthanatized.
- A section of the jejunum (part of the small intestine) was severed and flushed of blood using an isotonic sodium chloride (NaCl) solution.
- The team used two different approaches based on the type of results they wished to gather:
- For six horses, they perfused a radio-opaque medium into the circulatory system to map out the blood vessels radiographically. Histologic methods were used for examining these sections further.
- The remainder of the horses had their sections infused with two types of plastics to allow for gross or scanning electron microscopy.
Findings
- The research discovered that the marginal arterial arcade feeds into vessels that penetrate the jejunum, either directly or supplying only one side of the mesenteric angle.
- The arteries in the submucosa branched extensively, feeding into various parts of the intestine including the muscular and serous coats, as well as the mucosa.
- Arterial vessels that supply the mucosa penetrated the muscular layer of the mucosa and branched to feed two capillary networks.
- The base of the villus (small, finger-like projection in the small intestine) contained an off-center arteriole that spiraled to the tip, forming a mesh-like capillary network that drained 1 to 3 – but most commonly 2 – venules. These venules gathered from nearby villi and drained through the submucosal veins.
Implications of the Research
This research, although seemingly obscure, is important because understanding the precise anatomical structure and blood vessel organization of the horse’s small intestine can have direct implications for surgical and medical interventions, equine health, and treatment for intestinal diseases or disorders. The study examined different features at both the micro and macro scale, giving a comprehensive view of the intestinal circulatory system. The findings also provide a basis for future research in this area.
Cite This Article
APA
Dart AJ, Snyder JR, Julian D, Hinds DM.
(1992).
Microvascular circulation of the small intestine in horses.
Am J Vet Res, 53(6), 995-1000.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis 95616.
MeSH Terms
- Angiography / veterinary
- Animals
- Corrosion Casting / veterinary
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Intestinal Mucosa / blood supply
- Jejunum / blood supply
- Microcirculation / ultrastructure
- Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Blikslager A, Gonzalez L. Equine Intestinal Mucosal Pathobiology. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2018 Feb 15;6:157-175.
- Chen YM, Zhang JS, Duan XL. Changes of microvascular architecture, ultrastructure and permeability of rat jejunal villi at different ages. World J Gastroenterol 2003 Apr;9(4):795-9.
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