An anatomical, histological, and immunohistochemical investigation on the intestines of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx)

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to perform an anatomical, histological, and immunohistochemical investigation of the intestines of the lynx. After performing macro-anatomical measurements of the tissues obtained from the small and large intestines of the lynx which was brought to the Kafkas University Veterinary Faculty Clinics and Wild Life Preservation and Rehabilitation Center for treatment but could not be saved despite all interventions, the routine histological procedure was followed. Triple staining was applied to examine the general histological structure of intestinal tissues, and PAS staining was applied for identifying goblet cells. Somatostatin distribution was examined immunohistochemically. The lengths and layer thicknesses of intestinal segments were measured and statistically evaluated. It was determined that the total length of the intestines of the lynx was similar to that of Canis species, mucosa thickness decreased from the duodenum to the jejunum, and muscularis thickness was higher in the jejunum in comparison to the other segments. Somatostatin immunoreactivity was determined to be at varying intensities in the mucosa, muscularis, and serosa throughout the intestine.