Spatiotemporal organization of the proliferative system in small intestinal crypt epithelium of intact mice.

We studied spatiotemporal organization of the proliferative system in small intestinal crypt epithelium of normal mice. Close relationships were found between circadian rhythms of cell proliferation and their position in the crypt. These peculiarities reflected spatiotemporal organization of the crypt epithelium. The hierarchic structure of spatiotemporal organization suggests the existence of several interrelated levels (individual cells, cell subpopulations, and cells with basal and maximum levels of proliferation within subpopulation). Each level has its proper temporal and spatial characteristics. Their interaction determines spatiotemporal organization of the proliferative system in the small intestinal crypt epithelium.