A Strong Impact of Genetic Background on Gut Microflora in Mice
Figure 3
Representative histopathology in the colon of 129 N10 and B6 mice on AIN at 22 days of age. Slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. By 22 days of age, 90% of 129 N10 DKO mice have disease signs of diarrhea and many are lethargic. B6 DKO mice are without these signs. This is correlated with histopathology in the cecum and colons of these mice. 129 mice show inflammation and distortion of the cecum and distal colon with frequent crypt abscesses in the distal colon. The inflammation frequently skips the proximal colon (shown here). In severe cases, where lethargy has progressed to wasting, the proximal colon can be involved. The cecum and colon of B6 mice show mucin depletion and mild distortion due to apoptosis and proliferation.
