Intraepithelial lymphocytes are important components of the
lymphatic tissue of the intestine, and they form part of the initial
immune response to external antigens and pathogenicmicroorganisms.
The number of intraepithelial lymphocytes in the intestine is an
indicator of the maturity of the intestinal immune system. The number
of lymphocytes in the jejunumwas increased on both days 21 and 42 by
the addition of palygorskite. Based on these results, it is thought that
palygorskite may enhance the defensive capacity of the jejunumduring
absorption in weaned piglets.