Gross anatomical aspects of the gastrointestinal tract of the wild African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

Abstract

Ten matured African giant pouched rats of both sexes were used in this study. Their mean body weights were 1045.5 ± 110.6 g (standard error of mean, SEM) and their crown-rump body length was 24 ± 1.16 cm. The mean stomach weight and length were 28.81 ± 0.93 g and 20.3 ± 0.80 cm, respectively. The maximum width of the stomach varied between 3.13 ± 0.31 and 3.75 ± 0.28 cm related to the volume of food within the organ. Grossly, the stomach was divided into two parts: the non-glandular and the glandular. A small sac-like diverticulum of about 1.3 cm in length and 1.2 cm in width located on the small curvature of the glandular portion between the cardiac and the pylorus was observed. Internally, a limiting ridge separated the non-glandular from glandular portion of the stomach. We have therefore classified the stomach as being monogastric with a small diverticulum. The mean small intestine length of 129 ± 3.27 cm was the longest segment of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), followed by the 88.2 ± 2.73 cm of the large intestine. The cecum was the largest segment of the large intestine, coma-shaped blind end sac situated at the ileo-cecal junction.