Abstract
The study was aimed to evaluate the morphology and immune function development of the jejunum and ileum in squab pigeons (Columba livia), by determining the villus ultrastructure, secretory IgA, and cytokines. Eight squabs were randomly selected and sampled on the day of hatch (DOH), d 7 (D 7), 14 (D 14), and 21 (D 21) post-hatch, respectively. The results showed that under transmission electron microscope, the enterocyte circumference in jejunum and ileum decreased with age. The tight junction involved in enterocyte circumference of jejunal villi plateaued from D 7, whereas that of ileal villi changed irregularly. The microvilli of jejunal and ileal villi was maximum at D 14. Under scanning electron microscope, the villus morphology of jejunum and ileum appeared finger-shaped at DOH. After D 7, the jejunal villi were still finger-shaped whereas the ileal villi were leaflike. The secretory IgA in jejunum was significantly increased at D 21. The TGF-β decreased linearly in jejunum and ileum. The anti-inflammatory cytokines increased linearly and proinflammatory cytokines decreased linearly in jejunum and ileum with age. In conclusion, the morphological changes of jejunal epithelium were concentrated at DOH-D 7 and ileal epithelium at DOH-D 14 mainly. The changes in mucus layer and immune-related factors of jejunum and ileum persisted for almost the entire period.