Sequential differentiation of intestinal endocrine cells in the fetal mouse.

The duodenum and ileum of 15 to 18-day old Swiss ICR mouse embryos were studied with the electron microscope to follow the differentiation of endocrine cells. Endocrine cells were classified on purely morphological characteristics. EC cells appeared at 16 days of gestation in both segments. At the same stage G cells were seen in the duodenum and K cells in the ileum. ECL, and S cells were identified in the duodenum at 17 days. Finally, D cells were seen at 18 days of gestation in the duodenum and ileum. With the electron microscope, endocrine cells were not identified in the small intestine of the mouse before the formation of villi.