Characteristics of mature oocytes from four species of marine teleosts

The morphology and histology of the digestive tract of the branchiuran crustacean, Chonopeltis australis Box shall, 1976 are described from serial sections. The foregut is differentiated into a preoral cavity, containing the mandibles and tongue, an ascending oesophagus, with an H-shaped lumen invested with longitudinal, circular and dilator muscles, a horizontal oesophagus with a star-shaped lumen and lacking longitudinal and dilator muscles, and an oesophageal funnel consisting of inner and recurrent walls. The midgut is differentiated into anterior and posterior chambers, separated by an S-shaped muscular tube. The arborescent midgut glands open laterally into the anterior part of the anterior midgut. Columnar epithelial cells line the anterior midgut whereas tall, papilliform cells are present in the epithelium of the posterior midgut. The transition from posterior midgut to hindgut is marked by the presence of very tall epithelial cells. The terminology describing the various parts of the digestive tract of branchiurans is discussed.     

Immunohistochemical distribution of glucagon-like peptide 1 in the digestive system of different aquatic vertebrates

The distribution of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)-positive cells in digestive tracts and pancreases of aquatic vertebrates was investigated by immunohistochemical staining method. The results suggested that GLP-1-positive cells were distributed in the columnar mucous epithelium and tubular glands of lamina propria in the digestive system. However, GLP-1-positive cells were also found in subepithelial lamina propria of the mucosae and muscularis in each segment of the digestive tract of Rana nigromaculata. The distribution densities of these cells reached peaks in the stomachs, and the middle or end segments of small intestines of Chinese softshell turtle, Bufo gargarizans, R. nigromaculata and catfish, and there was the third distribution density peak in the rectum of catfish. The total amount or overall density of GLP-1-positive cells varied a lot in the digestive tracts of different animal species. The distribution density was relatively low in the digestive tract of chub and reached the maximum in the digestive tracts of snakehead and catfish, but no GLP-1-positive cells were found in the digestive tract of bighead carp. GLP-1-positive cells were densely distributed in the pancreases of Chinese softshell turtle, B. gargarizans and R. nigromaculata. These cells spread over the superficial layers of islets or scattered in exocrine pancreas in the pancreas of B. gargarizans, spread in the endocrine cells or scattered in the pancreas of Chinese softshell turtle, scattered in the pancreas of R. nigromaculata and distributed in the superficial layers of islets in the pancreas of catfish.     

Anatomía del Desarrollo del Tracto Digestivo y Forma Corporal Externa Durante el Período Embrionario en el Caprino (Copra hircus)

Anatomy of the digestive tract and external body development during the embryonic stages of the caprine (Copra, bircus) The purpose of this work has been to establish the pattern of prenatal growth and normal development of the digestive tract and annex glands during goat embryonic stages. 21 embryos with ages ranging from 14 to 34 days (1.69 to 5.90 cm CR) as determined by registering the mating time, were obtained by cesarea. This material was histologically processed to obtain complete serial sections of the stomatodaeum, foregut, midgut, hindgut and cloaca. In this work, it is chronologically described the morphogenesis and histogenesis of the mouth, hypophysis, pharynx and its derivatives, stomach, intestine, liver, pancreas and cloaca. The results obtained establish chronological comparisons with the development of the lamb and gives information on the unitary origin of the gastric compartments in ruminants.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of flumequine in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) after intravascular and oral administrations

In this study, the pharmacokinetic profile of flumequine (FMQ) was investigated in blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) after intravascular (3 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) and oral (50 mg/kg b.w.) administrations. The plasma samples were determinedby ultra‐performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) with fluorescence detection. After intravascular administration, plasma concentration–time curves were best described by a two‐compartment open model. The distribution half‐life (t_1/2α), elimination half‐life (t_1/2β), and area under the concentration–time curve (AUC) of blunt snout bream were 0.6 h, 25.0 h, and 10612.7 h·μg/L, respectively. After oral administration, a two‐compartment open model with first‐order absorption was also best fit the data of plasma. The t_1/2α, t_1/2β, peak concentration (C_max), time‐to‐peak concentration (T_max), and AUC of blunt snout bream were estimated to be 2.5 h, 19.7 h, 3946.5 μg/L, 1.4 h, and 56618.1 h. μg/L, respectively. The oral bioavailability (F) was 32.0%. The pharmacokinetics of FMQ in blunt snout bream displayed low bioavailability, rapid absorption, and rapid elimination.     

Histomorphometrical and stereological study of the oesophagus in the adult male Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus)

The Persian squirrel (Sciurus anomalus) is habitat in the Middle East countries and feed on pine acorns and other seeds. The present study was carried out to investigate the histological and volumetric features of the oesophagus in Persian squirrels. Five adult male Persian squirrels were included in the study. The cervical, thoracic and abdominal oesophagus of all subjects were processed routinely and sectioned in a serial manner. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus and its different layers were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. Histological assessment revealed a non‐keratinized stratified squamous epithelium lining the mucosa. No glands were seen in the lamina propria and submucosa. Lamina muscularis was present as a distinct layer of smooth muscle cells separating the lamina propria from the tunica submucosa. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct layers of striated muscle fibres: inner circular and outer longitudinal that was intermingled with few scattered smooth muscle fibres especially in the abdominal region. The thoracic region contained more amount of the lamina muscularis and tunica muscularis in comparison to the cervical or abdominal regions. The obtained results revealed that the histological structure of the Persian squirrel oesophagus has differences and similarities with other rodents and even with other species of squirrel. These findings would be useful to improve the knowledge in the areas of histological structure of the rodent digestive system.     

休眠期中华鳖消化器官中主要消化酶活性分布

为研究休眠期中华鳖中主要消化器官消化酶活性,将平均体重为672.25g的4龄鳖6只,处死后取其胃、肝、肠,采用生化方法测定其胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶和淀粉酶活性。结果表明,在中华鳖的胃、肝、前肠、中肠、后肠中均有胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶、淀粉酶。肠中蛋白酶活性由中肠、前肠、后肠递减,前肠与中肠的酶活性没有显著差异(P>0.05);肠中脂肪酶活性较胃、肝中的高;淀粉酶活性,肠中最高,胃中次之,肝脏中最低,但在肠的不同部位淀粉酶的活性没有显著差异(P>0.05)。     

An immunohistochemical study of S-100 protein in the intestinal tract of Chinese soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

The present work describes the distribution of S-100 protein in the intestinal tract of a Chinese soft-shelled turtle specimen (Pelodiscus sinensis). S-100 protein positive cells were located in the intestinal tract, from the proximal small to distal large intestine. S-100 protein positive dendritic cells had irregular shape and were positive in both cytoplasm and nucleus. Most of them were located both lamina propria and submucosa in the small intestine, while few were found in the large intestine. S-100 protein, C-kit positive ICCs and Silver staining glial cells were predominantly observed in three locations: (1) in the interspace between the submucosa and circular muscle layer; (2) in the circular muscle layer; and (3) between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the intestine. Fewer were found in the large intestinal lamina propria and submucosa. Three types of positive cells (S-100 protein positive cells, C-kit positive ICCs and Silver staining glial cells) with 1–2 long or 2–3 short processes were distributed as lace-like or surrounding blood vessels in the different locations mentioned above. In the lamina propria, all the positive cells with irregular processes were connected with each other and formed a network. In the submucosa, all the positive cells were found surrounding the blood vessels.     

Ultrastructure of the alimentary canal of the sheep scab mite, Psoroptes ovis (Acari: Psoroptidae).

The mite Psoroptes ovis causes sheep scab disease in flocks throughout much of the world. A serious impediment to the development of novel control measures for this mite is our inability to produce in vitro colonies of the mite. Here, we describe the alimentary canal of the mite with the particular aim of determining what it feeds on, as part of a longer term goal, to develop in vitro culture techniques for P. ovis. The alimentary canal of P. ovis consists of a cuticle-lined foregut and hindgut separated by a microvilli-lined midgut. The foregut is divided into a pre-oral cavity and a muscular pharynx and oesophagus. The midgut consists of three ultrastructurally discrete areas: a stomach with bi-lobed ventriculi, a colon and a post-colon. The stomach is composed of two cell types. The most common cells (Type 1) are either cuboidal or squamous depending on the degree of gut distension and possess short microvilli, a single basally located nucleus, extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum and other components suggesting active secretion. The less common cells (Type 2), possess an extensive apical network of tubules and basally food vacuoles suggesting intracellular digestion. These cells extend into the gut lumen, become free-floating and degenerate. The colon and post-colon are composed of cells similar to Type 1 stomach cells but the post-colon epithelium possesses significantly longer microvilli. Cells from these areas have not been observed to leave the surrounding epithelium and enter the gut lumen, but it is suggested that significant absorption occurs in these two areas. Faecal pellets, often containing a significant number of bacteria, leave the digestive system through the cuticle-lined anal atrium.     

An immunohistochemical study of S-100 protein in the intestinal tract of Chinese soft-shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis

The present work describes the distribution of S-100 protein in the intestinal tract of a Chinese soft-shelled turtle specimen (Pelodiscus sinensis). S-100 protein positive cells were located in the intestinal tract, from the proximal small to distal large intestine. S-100 protein positive dendritic cells had irregular shape and were positive in both cytoplasm and nucleus. Most of them were located both lamina propria and submucosa in the small intestine, while few were found in the large intestine. S-100 protein, C-kit positive ICCs and Silver staining glial cells were predominantly observed in three locations: (1) in the interspace between the submucosa and circular muscle layer; (2) in the circular muscle layer; and (3) between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers of the intestine. Fewer were found in the large intestinal lamina propria and submucosa. Three types of positive cells (S-100 protein positive cells, C-kit positive ICCs and Silver staining glial cells) with 1–2 long or 2–3 short processes were distributed as lace-like or surrounding blood vessels in the different locations mentioned above. In the lamina propria, all the positive cells with irregular processes were connected with each other and formed a network. In the submucosa, all the positive cells were found surrounding the blood vessels.     

Utilization of pelleted and extruded feed by blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala: Insights from growth performance,health status and feed cost

The present study was conducted to evaluate the utilization of both pelleted feed (PF) and extruded feed (EF) by blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala based on growth performance, stress responses, innate immunity and disease resistance. Both the PF and EF were prepared with the same formula. Fish were divided randomly into 2 groups, including one fed the PF continuously and one offered the EF continuously. The whole feeding trial lasted 8 weeks, after which fish were subjected to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The results showed that the feed intake, feed conversion ratio, hepatic total superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content, plasma complement 3 and complement 4 levels as well as myeloperoxidase activity of the EF group were all significantly lower than those of the PF group, while the opposite was true for the condition factor, the viscera index, the abdominal fat percentage, nitrogen and energy retention, hepatic malondialdehyde content, plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, lactate, total protein and globulin as well as the activities of plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In addition, the EF group also obtained relatively low activities of hepatic glutathione peroxidase and plasma acid phosphatase as well as high cumulative mortality rates at 24–96 h after Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. Furthermore, the feed cost of culturing this species with EF is lower than that with PF. These findings indicated that compared with PF, EF could increase the feed utilization and economic benefits of blunt snout bream, but reduce its anti-stress ability, non-specific immunity, A. hydrophila resistance and feed cost.     

苜蓿草粉对禾花鲤蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性影响的研究

选取来源一致、规格整齐的2龄禾花鲤1 200尾,采用单因子完全随机设计,分为5个处理,每处理3个重复,每重复80尾鱼,分置于15个试验池中。各处理苜蓿Medicago sativa草粉的添加量分别为0（对照组）、40（试验Ⅰ组）、80（试验Ⅱ组）、120（试验Ⅲ组）和160 g/kg（试验Ⅳ组）,正试期50 d,观测苜蓿草粉对禾花鲤前、中、后肠及肝胰脏蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性的影响。结果表明：1）添加苜蓿草粉对前肠蛋白酶活性有显著影响 (P<0.05),其中试验II组显著高于对照组和试验Ⅳ组,但和试验Ⅰ、Ⅲ组差异不显著 (P>0.05)。添加苜蓿草粉对中、后肠及肝胰脏蛋白酶活性均无显著影响 (P>0.05),但它们有相同的变化趋势,即试验Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组鱼的蛋白酶活性均高于对照组。2）鲤鱼的前肠、中肠、后肠蛋白酶活性依次减弱,而肝胰脏的蛋白酶活性远低于肠道。3）添加苜蓿草粉后前肠及中肠淀粉酶活性比较,试验II组显著高于对照组 (P<0.05),其余各组与对照组差异不显著 (P>0.05),后肠淀粉酶活性与对照组无显著差异 (P>0.05)。添加苜蓿草粉能提高鲤鱼肝胰脏淀粉酶活性,其中试验Ⅱ组显著高于对照组 (P<0.05),其余试验组与对照组无显著差异 (P>0.05)。4）禾花鲤前、中、后肠及肝胰脏4部分淀粉酶的活性有较大的不同,肝胰脏>后肠>中肠>前肠。     

虎纹蛙肠道微生物结构与功能分析

利用高通量测序方法对虎纹蛙前肠、中肠和后肠微生物结构和功能进行分析。结果表明,虎纹蛙(Rana rugulosa)肠道核心菌群是厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、梭杆菌门(Fusobacteria)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria)。Romboutsia属、鲸杆菌属(Cetobacterium)、叶杆菌属(Phyllobacterium)是绝对优势菌属。肠道中存在弧菌(Vibro)、邻单胞菌(Plesiomonas)、气单胞菌(Aeromonas)、爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella)不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter)、黄杆菌属(Flavobacterium)、脱硫弧菌属(Desulfovibrio)、鞘脂单胞菌属(Sphingomonas)、伊丽莎白菌(Elizabethkingia)等常见的条件致病菌和芽孢杆菌(Bacillus)、乳酸杆菌(Lactobacillus)和双歧杆菌(Bifidobacterium)等潜在益生菌。比较发现,前肠和中肠微生物丰度和多样性显著高于后肠,且在门和属水平菌群结构差异明显;前肠和中肠微生物功能相似,与能量代谢、维生素代谢、氨基酸代谢、脂代谢、外源物质降解和代谢关联微生物丰度较高,而后肠中与核酸代谢、碳水化合物代谢关联微生物丰度较高。前肠和中肠中与信号转导、神经系统、内分泌系统、转运和分解等关联微生物丰度较高,后肠中与信号分子互作、细胞过程与信号、增殖与修复、免疫系统、翻译、转录、酶家族、环境适应、膜转运等关联微生物丰度较高。本研究解析了虎纹蛙肠道菌群结构和功能,为虎纹蛙健康养殖提供理论基础。     

年龄差异对家兔CD4+T细胞在胃肠分布的影响

为深入了解家兔消化道中CD4⁺T细胞的组织学定位以及在消化道不同解剖学部位的数量变化,本试验运用免疫组织化学方法,探讨了家兔胃(胃底腺区、幽门腺区)和小肠及大肠不同解剖学部位中的CD4⁺T细胞定位特点和数量变化规律。结果表明,在胃肠中,CD4⁺T细胞主要分布于固有层。胃底腺区阳性细胞数目要明显比幽门腺区少。小肠、大肠各段的阳性细胞分布数量未见明显差异,由十二指肠到回肠表现为小幅度递增,由盲肠到直肠表现为小幅度递减。胃肠中CD4⁺T细胞在各部位的数量随年龄增长表现出先增后减的变化趋势,老年组和幼年组CD4⁺T细胞数量在大肠中未见明显差异。结果提示,CD4⁺T细胞在青年家兔胃肠中的分布最为丰富。     

Serum and mucosal antibody responses against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae following intraperitoneal vaccination and challenge of pigs with M hyopneumoniae

Pigs were immunised intraperitoneally when six weeks old and again at about 10 weeks old with killed Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae antigen prepared in an oil adjuvant. The pigs were challenged with live M hyopneumoniae (Beaufort strain) at between 11 and 15 weeks old. Antigen specific antibody levels for both IgG and IgA classes in serum and respiratory tract secretion were monitored over time. In serum anti-M hyopneumoniae antibody was detected shortly after the second intraperitoneal vaccination and was largely IgG. In respiratory tract secretion the response was observed after challenge, and was primarily IgA. Anti-M hyopneumoniae antibody-containing cells and their immunoglobulin class specificity were monitored in lung and tracheal lamina propria. In lung the majority of anti-M hyopneumoniae-containing cells were IgG, whereas in the tracheal lamina propria the majority were IgA. These results are discussed in terms of the use of intraperitoneal vaccination for the control of M hyopneumoniae infection.     

Ontogeny expression of ghrelin,neuropeptide Y and cholecystokinin in blunt snout bream,Megalobrama amblycephala

Ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and cholecystokinin (CCK) all have important roles in the regulation of feeding in fish and mammals. To better understand the role of the three peptides in appetite regulation in the early developmental stages of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala), partial cDNA sequences of ghrelin, NPY and CCK genes were cloned. And then, real‐time quantitative PCR and RT‐PCR were used to detect and quantify the mRNA expressions of these genes from zygotes to larvae of 50 days after hatching (DAH). Ghrelin, NPY and CCK were all expressed throughout the embryonic and larval development stages, and the expression levels were higher in larval stages than in embryonic stages. Ghrelin and NPY mRNA expressions were upregulated at 1, 3, 5 DAH, while CCK mRNA expression was reduced significantly at 3 DAH. The mRNA expression levels of three genes in larvae varied significantly until 30 DAH. In adult fish, all three peptides were detected to be expressed in brain and several peripheral tissues. Ghrelin mRNA was mainly expressed in the intestine, whereas NPY and CCK mRNAs were mainly expressed in the brain. Taken together, these results indicate that ghrelin, NPY and CCK may have roles in early development and participate in the regulation of feeding of larvae in blunt snout bream and will be helpful for further investigation into feed intake regulation in adults of this species.     

Histology and Mucin Histochemistry of The Digestive Tract of Yellow Catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The histology and characteristics of mucins secreted by epithelial mucous cells of the digestive tract in yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco were investigated using light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The digestive tract was divided into a pharynx, oesophagus, U-shaped stomach (with a cardiac, fundic and pyloric part) and intestine, composed of anterior intestine, middle intestine and posterior intestine, which consisted of a mucosa (epithelial layer), lamina propria-submucosa, muscularis and serosa. A large number of isolated longitudinal striated muscular bundles were present in the lamina propria-submucosa of pharynx. Goblet cells were observed throughout the digestive tract, except in the stomach. In the cardiac and fundic stomach, a plenty of gastric glands were observed, whereas they were absent in the pyloric part. Numerous mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum were observed in the columnar epithelial cells of the intestine, especially of the anterior part. The epithelial mucous cells contained neutral or other two mixtures of acid and neutral mucins, the first being the most common. The neutral mucin was the only type of mucins in the stomach, anterior intestine and middle intestine. The results of this study will be helpful for understanding the digestive physiology and diagnosing some gastrointestinal diseases in yellow catfish.     

In situ characterization of mononuclear leukocytes in skin and digestive tract of persistently bovine viral diarrhea virus-infected clinically healthy calves and calves with mucosal disease

The phenotypic identity of mononuclear leukocytes in skin and digestive tract of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV)-infected animals was examined using sensitive single and double labeling immunocytochemical techniques. Occurrence and distribution of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes of either the helper (BoT4) or suppressor/cytotoxic (BoT8) subsets, and macrophages (M phi) were examined. No differences were found in the skin and digestive tract of persistently infected clinically healthy calves and uninfected controls, despite widespread virus-antigen presence in keratinocytes (stratum basale and stratum spinosum) of skin and upper digestive tract, in dermal/subepithelial macrophages (M phi), in gut-epithelial cells, and in lymphocytes and M phi/monocytes of blood and lymphoid tissues of the former group. M phi and Langerhans cells (LC) were the prevailing leukocyte types in the keratinized epithelia and subepithelial connective tissues, with occasional T lymphocytes (mostly intraepithelially located and of the BoT8 phenotype). No B cells were seen. Some infiltrating leukocytes also contained virus antigen. In animals succumbing to mucosal disease (MD), hyper- and parakeratotic changes, as well as necrotizing epithelial lesions, were accompanied by massive infiltration in dermis and epithelium of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen positive cells (M phi and LC), some T lymphocytes (predominantly BoT8 positive cells), and, only rarely, B cells. M phi also predominated in lamina propria of the gastrointestinal tract. Findings suggest that M phi activation is an important aspect of MD pathogenesis. In contrast, the contention that T lymphocytes may play a major role could not be substantiated.     

Pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in blunt‐snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) at two water temperatures with single‐dose oral administration

The pharmacokinetics and residue elimination of florfenicol (FFC) and its metabolite florfenicol amine (FFA) were studied in healthy blunt‐snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala, 50 ± 10 g). The study was conducted with a single‐dose (25 mg/kg) oral administration at a water temperature of 18 or 28°C, while in the residue elimination study, fish were administered at 25 mg/kg daily for three consecutive days by oral gavage to determine the withdrawal period (WDT) at 28°C. The FFC and FFA levels in plasma and tissues (liver, kidneys and muscle) were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A no‐compartment model was used to analyse the concentration versus time data of M. amblycephala. In the two groups at 18 and 28°C, the maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of FFC was 5.89 and 6.21 μg/ml, while the time to reach C_max (T_max) was 5.97 and 2.84 hr, respectively. These suggested that higher temperature absorbed more drug and more quickly at M. amblycephala. And the elimination half‐life (T_1/2kβ) of FFC was calculated as 26.75 and 16.14 hr, while the total body clearance (CL) was 0.09 and 0.15 L kg^?1 hr^?1, and the areas under the concentration–time curves (AUCs) were 265.87 and 163.31 μg hr/ml, respectively. The difference demonstrated that the elimination rate of FFC in M. amblycephala at 28°C was more quickly than that at 18°C. The results of FFA showed the same trend in tissues of M. amblycephala. After multiple oral doses (25 mg/kg daily for 3 days), the k (eliminate rate constant) of FFA in M. amblycephala muscle was 0.017, the C₀ (initial concentration) was 3.07 mg/kg, and the WDT was 10 days (water temperature 28°C).     

Microscopic anatomy of the oesophagus in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) a histochemical,stereological, and scanning electron microscope study

The present work was designed to investigate the microscopic structure of the oesophagus in the southern white-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) using histochemical staining, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and stereological procedures. Four adult males were included in our study. Serial sections of the entire length of the oesophagus were stained with aldehyde fuchsin, alcian blue (pH 2.5), Periodic acid Schiff (PAS), and Masson's trichrome. Then, the total volume of the oesophagus, and the total volume of its different layers, were estimated using Cavalieri's principle. The oesophageal epithelium was a non-keratinized stratified squamous type. Muscularis mucosa was present as a thick layer between lamina propria and submucosa and its thickness was increased toward the stomach. Tunica submucosa was a loose connective tissue containing an oesophageal gland with PAS-positive and AB-positive reactions throughout the submucosa and become denser toward the stomach. The tunica muscularis consisted of two distinct striated muscle layers, and its thickness was decreased toward the stomach. On SEM images, the cervical and thoracic oesophagus showed shallow folding, while the abdominal part had deeper folds. The present findings indicate that the histological properties of the oesophagus in southern white-breasted hedgehogs have slight similarities with rodents and considering its epithelium, submucosal glands and tunica muscularis more resemble with dog oesophagus. The obtained results may be quite helpful to improve the current knowledge of the histophysiology of the hedgehog gastrointestinal tract as a member of eulipotyplan mammals and as a pet for biologists and veterinarians.