[The rhythm of mucus formation in the small intestinal epithelium of rats and mice].

The diurnal rhythm of mucose formation was studied in the epithelium of villi of the small intestine in rats and mice. The total amount of goblet enterocytes on a villus as well as their amount in the basal, medial and apical areas underwent changes during the day. The period of the greatest mucose formation was noted in the night time. The process of secretion of goblet enterocytes was found to be rhythmical and to alternate with predominant accumulation and producing secretion. The mutual shift of similar processes in the phase was noted at different levels of the villi. In the medial third of the villus the corresponding state is observed later than in the basal third and earlier than in the apical one. The agreement of these processes in time permits considering the villus as a system with circadian organization. The rhythmics of mucose formation in rats and mice has certain species peculiarities: in rats there is no difference in the distribution of goblet enterocytes along the length of the villi, but the diurnal rhythm of the changes of their total amount is more pronounced.