Histology and cytology of Dryomys laniger's small intestine tissue

It was investigated how the exit from hibernation is controlled by internal factors, how the hibernation behavior may have evolved and interpreted in terms of physiological and biochemical aspects. Anadolu Kayauyuru (Dryomys laniger) which is the subject of our study is an endemic species. This study was carried out on D. laniger samples obtained from field study conducted in natural environment of Çığlıkara region of Elmalı district of Antalya. The subjects were fed, cared for, maintained, weighted and determined hibernation times under laboratory conditions with a maximum humidity of 56% and a maximum temperature of 24 °C and a minimum temperature of 7 °C. The subjects were sacrificed during the hibernation period and during the intermediate awakening period. Samples were taken for light microscopy for histomorphological examination and electron microscopy for cytological examination. Sections were taken from prepared blocks and examined histomorphologically and ultrastructurally. When the light microscopy images were examined, it was observed that the small intestine villi of the dormant animals were longer and the goblet cells were more numerous than the animals in the active period. The small intestines of the animals awakening during hibernation are in accordance with their normal histomorphology. Electron microphotographs of the small intestine showed dual nucleoli, especially in the cell nuclei of the animals in the hibernation. The number of mitochondria of the animals in the hibernation was increased and the endoplasmic reticulum channels were enlarged. No significant differences were observed in the intermediate awakening animals compared to those in the hibernation. This is the first study to examine the small intestine tissue of the Dryomys laniger species and to investigate the possible histomorphological and ultrastructural effects of hibernation. Further studies are needed to clarify this issue clearly.