Effect of denervation on the mitotic index of the intestinal epithelium of the rat.

The infradiaphragmatic section of vagi nerves at the level of the diaphragm crura causes, on the third day after surgery, a reduction of the mitotic activity in the crypts of the intestinal epithelium of the rat. Moreover there is a drastic reduction in number of the goblet cells that remain concentrated at the lower third of the villi. After the third day after vagotomy there is a tendency to normality. Sympathectomy did not affect significantly the intestinal epithelium of the rat. When both surgeries were performed together, there was no additive effect.