Pancreas in Sheep Histochemical and Immunohistochemical Analysis

Abstract

Current research aimed to investigate immunohistochemical and  histomchemical study of pancreatic tissue of the  adult sheep. Histological sections prepared from the specimens of their pancreas were stained with general and special stains then photographed with Dino-eye piece camera and analyzed with its image software. The endocrine portion reside primarily in the islet's of Langerhans which associated well with extra-blood vessels and exocrine ducts. microscopically, each islet was structured of several cells (alpha and beta) which were different in size, shape and color.     

Pancreas is the specific exocrine and endocrine secretion gland. Islet of Langerhans is the endocrine part which has certainly been used for life by its secretary activities. Specific cell islets have specific characteristics and the specific hormone secretes. Such various cells of the Langerhans islet synthesize and secrete different hormones that the biological system needs to achieve adequate metabolic control over blood sugar. Regional distribution, numerical frequency, and presence of glucagon (Alpha-cell)- & glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (Beta-cell)-secreting cells in sheep's endocrine and exocrine pancreas were investigated using the immunohistochemistry process. Glucagon immunopositive alpha-cells were found primarily in the central and mantle region of the Langerhans islets, while glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide immunopositive beta-cells were located in the peripheral, central and pancreatic islet mantles. In addition, some Alpha- and Beta-cells in the exocrine parenchyma and the pancreatic duct epithelium were detected as single cells or clusters of 2 to 3 immunopositive cells. In this study for the first time the presence, regional distribution, and relative frequency of Alpha-&Beta-cells in sheep pancreas were analyzed. It was determined that the immunopositivity and distribution of endocrine cells in the sheep pancreas differs partially from those of other mammalian species such as goat.