A light-microscopic immunocytochemical study of the endocrine pancreas in the Australian brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
Leigh, C.M.; Edwin, N.
European Journal of Histochemistry Ejh 36(2): 237-241
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 1121-760X PMID: 1380858 Document Number: 403310
The endocrine pancreas of the Austrlaian brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus ulpecula) was investigated by means of immunocytochemistry using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase technique. This was a light microscopic study using this established technique. Serial paraffin sections were stained individually with primary antiboides for glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP), showing the same islet. Cells immunoreactive to glucagon, insulin, somatostatin and PP were found in endocrine islets. PP cells appear to be scattered amidst the exocrine portion also. Insulin immunoreactive cells were located in the central region of islet, glucagon in the periphery, somatostatin in periphery and had elongated processes. PP cells were more sparse and located both in the periphery of islet and amidst the exocrine tissue. These results can then be related to a similar study in the same marsupial, but using the immunofluorescence technique and to studies in other marsupials such as grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crasicaudata) and the American opossum (Didelphs virginiana). These investigations are part of a study in Australian mammals.