Gross Morphometry of Large Intestine in Postnatal Age Groups of Indian Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)

The present study on gross morphometry of large intestine was conducted on different postnatal age groups (Group I piglets, 0-4 weeks, Group II weaners, 4-10 weeks and Group III adults, above 10 weeks, n=6 each) of Indian domestic pig. The large intestine of pig grossly appeared as a complex sacculated tube with caecum, colon and rectum attached to the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity. The gross morphometrical observations revealed a significant increase in the length and diameter of all the segments of large intestine with advancing age. The total length of the large intestine increased from 107.58±11.27 cm in Group-I to 379.26±23.97 cm in Group-III. The length and diameters of the caecum increased significantly with age. The ascending colon showed characteristic centripetal and centrifugal turns. The total length of ascending colon increased from 80.53±10.28 cm in Group I to 164.97±8.48 cm in Group II and 287.83±20.67 cm in Group III. Similarly, significant (p<0.05) increase in the length and diameter of the transverse colon, descending colon and rectum were observed during postnatal growth. Among the colonic segments, the ascending colon showed the greatest length, whereas the rectum exhibited the greatest diameter in adult animals. The length of ascending colon and the diameter of rectum increased significantly (p<0.05) from Group I to Group III.