Changes in numbers of acidophilic and basophilic connective tissue granulated cells in the intestine of the rat during the estrous cycle

Changes in physiological reproductive states of female Long‐Evans hooded rats were directly correlated with changes in the concentration of acidophilic and basophilic connective tissue granulated cells in the lamina propria of the duodenum. Acidophilic granulated cell numbers were significantly higher at estrus and metestrus than at other stages of the estrous cycle or in the immature state. Acidophilic granulated cell numbers during pregnancy were not significantly different from cell numbers quantified during metestrus, diestrus, or proestrus, but were significantly lower than cell numbers during estrus. Late lactation (21‐25 days) was associated with significant decreases in the numbers of acidophilic granulated cells from numbers observed during the estrous cycle and during pregnancy. Basophilic granulated cell numbers did not differ significantly during the estrous cycle, although the highest numbers were observed during proestrus. Basophilic granulated cell numbers were significantly higher during pregnancy than during the estrous cycle. Basophilic granulated cell counts in late lactation were comparable to numbers quantified in estrus, metestrus, and diestrus, but were significantly lower than during proestrus and pregnancy.