The number of proliferations and the epithelial cells turn over have a great impact on the protein and energy requirements of the small intestinal mucosa (Simon, 1989). Increased crypt depth indicates an increased villus length, as the rate of sloughing is high; thus, the epithelial cells will use more energy to compensate for the sloughed cells, which in turn reduces the energy available for lean tissue mass synthesis. Large crypt indicates a fast turnover and a high demand for new tissue (Yason et al., 1987).