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World Veterinary Journal
Scienceline Publication Ltd
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| Abstract: |
There is a scarcity of published data regarding embryonic development in rabbits. The current study was conducted
to evaluate the development of the stomach in rabbit fetuses and the expression of the transcription factor GATA4
during different stages of development. This study was conducted on 40 rabbit fetuses for morphology, histology,
and GATA4 expression. The rabbits used were seemingly healthy white New Zealand pregnant females (aged 1.5- 3
years and weighing 2 - 4.5 kg). The morphology and histology of rabbit fetuses' stomachs (22 fetuses) were
examined using a light microscope on days 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 26 of the rabbit's gestation period. The
expression of GATA4 in rabbit fetuses (18 fetuses) on developmental days (20, 22, and 26) was investigated using
quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results indicated that the initial stomach appeared as a fusiform
widening in the posterior part of the foregut on day 10. The mucous membrane was significantly thickened, and the
formation of the gastric gland commenced on day 18. On day 22, the lining epithelium transformed into the
pseudostratified epithelium, and the mucosal folds exhibited more clarity. On day 26, the lining epithelium of the
stomach had changed into a simple columnar epithelium. Additionally, the mucosal folds and gastric pits were fully
developed in all stomach areas. The stomach glands displayed exceptional transparency and were fully developed.
Analysis of qRT-PCR data showed a significant increase in GATA4 mRNA expression in the embryonic stomach on
gestational days 20, 22, and 26 as the pregnancy progressed. In conclusion, this study comprehensively described the
morphological and histological development of the rabbit stomach. It demonstrated a substantial upregulation of
GATA4 mRNA expression as gestation advanced, indicating its crucial role in stomach development.
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