Evaluation of the number of goblet cells in crypts of the colonic mucosa with and without fecal transit.

Objective: To measure the thickness of the crypts and quantify the number of goblet cells of the colonic mucosa with and without intestinal transit, relating them to exclusion time.

Methods: Sixty Wistar rats were divided into three groups of 20 animals each according to the time of the final operation for the removal of the colon, in six, 12 or 18 weeks. In each group 15 animals underwent colonic exclusion by left colon proximal colostomy and distal mucous fistula, and five underwent only laparotomy (control).