Patterns of calcium channel (TRPV6) expression in rabbit gut epithelium

Abstract

[EN] The present study was undertaken to explore the immunohistochemical localisation of TRPV6 calcium channels in rabbit gut epithelium that are actively involved in calcium absorption. To undertake the research, twelve apparently healthy adult female rabbits with a body weight between 1.0 to 1.5 kg were procured, acclimatised and divided into two groups: control and test. Both groups were kept on same feed along with exogenous calcium supplementation in test group animals only. The serum calcium level revealed that normally a high value of serum calcium is maintained in the rabbit as compared to other mammals, thus indicating that the homeostatic mechanism might be poorly developed. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the caecum was the site of maximum calcium absorption in rabbit, followed by the duodenum and jejunum. The expression pattern of TRPV6 protein/mRNA was weaker in test group animals than in the control group, indicating that the channel was functional in low calcium concentration in the gut.