An ultrastructural investigation in stomach epithelial cells of mice during pregnancy and early lactation

In this study, stomach epithelial cells from adult nonpregnant, pregnant lactating mice were examined by histochemical, immu- nohistochemical and ultrastructural methods. Tissue samples taken from different groups were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and PAS-alcian blue and semithin sections were stained with toluidin blue for light microscopic examination. For ultrastructur- al examination ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. Additionally, by applying immunoperoxidase method, the distribution of EGF receptors of all groups was stu- died. We concluded that in the pregnant mice, stomach surface had lower mucus than the nonpregnant group. The acid content was balanced in active and inactive parietal cells. Examination results of lactating mice were similar to the results obtained from non- pregnant and pregnant mice. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2003, 66, 137-143).