A quantitative micro-tomographic gut atlas of the lepidopteran model insect Manduca sexta.

ABSTRACT: The tobacco hornworm is used extensively as a model system for ecotoxicology, immunology and gut physiology. Here, we established a micro-computed tomography approach based on the oral application of the clinical contrast agent iodixanol, allowing for a high-resolution quantitative analysis of the Manduca sexta gut. This technique permitted the identification of previously unknown and understudied structures, such as the crop or gastric ceca, and revealed the underlying complexity of the hindgut folding pattern, which is involved in fecal pellet formation. The acquired data enabled the volume rendering of all gut parts, the reliable calculation of their volumes, and the virtual endoscopy of the entire alimentary tract. It can provide information for accurate orientation in histology

SUBMITTER: Windfelder AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10291339 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature