Immunocytochemical studies on pancreatic endocrine cells at early stages of development of the pig
Zabel, M.; Surdyk-Zasada, J.; Lesisz, I.; Jagoda, E.; Wysocka, T.; Seidel, J.; Grzeszkowiak, J.
Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 32(3): 181-185
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0239-8508 PMID: 7843463 Document Number: 430210
The studies were performed on pig embryos between 23rd and 31st day of intrauterine life. Immunocytochemical markers of neuroendocrine cells, i.e. neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin and synaptophysin as well as basal hormones, i.e. insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide and, additionally, serotonin and gastrin were detected in serial sections. Our studies indicate that differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells does not take place unitemporally. At the first stage, the cells acquire the traits of neuroendocrine cells and secrete more than one hormone while final specialization toward cells secreting individual hormones take places at a later stage.