Abstract:This study was designed to investigate the histological structure and distribution of ghrelin in liver,small intestine and large intestine of adult female Muntiacus crinifrons.Section and HE staining were used to observe the histological structure,and PV-9000 two-step immunohistochemical staining as well as DAB method were used to the show the distribution of ghrelin.The liver was composed of serous membrane,hepatic lobule,hepatic central veins,portal area and other structures.Hepatic lobule was less obvious.Central veins were present in the center of hepatic lobule.Sinusoidal shape was irregular.Simple columnar epithelium of intestinal mucosa was observed.Muscularis mucosa of small intestine,cecum and colon was thin.The histological features of the folds and intestinal villi in the digestive tract were different.Ghrelin-positive cells were observed in the liver.Ghrelin immunoreactive cells also distributed in the mucosa,submucosa and tunica muscularis of duodenum,jejunum,ileum,cecum and colon,especially more cells were found in the epithelium of intestinal villi and the submucosa.In conclusion,the structures of liver,small intestine and large intestine in M.crinifrons are similar to the histological features of mammals,but the duodenum glands are not found.Ghrelin is present in the liver,small intestine and large intestine,suggesting its possible role in regulating the digestive function.