A morphological and morphometrical study on the sacculus rotundus and ileum of the Angora rabbit

The aim of this study was to reveal morphological and morphometrical properties of the sacculus rotundus (SR) and ileum in the Angora rabbit. For this purpose, a total of thirteen adult healthy Angora rabbits of both sexes were used. At the level of the junction of the ileum and SR, the ileum invaginated into the SR by protruding in 9 Angora rabbits, but joined directly the SR in 21. Numerous aggregate lymph follicles located just under the tunica serosa formed outstanding macroscopic polygonal areas on the external surface of the SR. In the inner wall of the SR, irregular projections were seen grossly. The saccorotundocecal orifice was found to be bordered laterally by two folds facing the cecum. These folds enclosed small polygonal spaces with mushroom shaped protrusions. The mean lengths and weights of SR and ileum in male were larger than those in female, and the related values also had statistical significance (P < 0.05). Compared with the ileum, the SR had short and thick villi, had a large amount of crypts and aggregated lymphoid follicles, and had a much thicker wall and much wider lumen. The crescent-like-hollows were detected between the lamina propria and the apical portions of the lymph follicles. The results from this study are thought to shed light on future studies on the digestive system and proper diagnosis of pathological disorders related to it in the Angora rabbit, and to contribute to the present morphological knowledge on the SR and ileum in this species.