ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Immunohistochemistry
;
Gastrointestinal endocrine cells
;
Brain-gut peptides
;
Small intestine
;
Platypus
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The relative frequencies of endocrine cells and peptidergic nerve elements in the proximal small intestine of the adult platypus were studied by immunohistochemistry. Six kinds of endocrine cells — serotonin (5-HT)-, somatostatin-, gastrin-, motilin-, cholecystokinin (CCK) and bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP)-immunoreactive cells — were identified in this study. These endocrine cells were found most frequently in the intestinal glands, in moderate numbers in the tubular ducts and were infrequent in the surface folds. 5-HT-immunoreactive cells were most numerous, somatostatin-, gastrin-, motilin and BPP-immunoreactive cells were moderately numerous, whereas CCK-immunoreactive cells were rare. Five kinds of neuropeptides: substance P, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), gastrin releasing peptide (GRP), somatostatin and leuenkephalin, were detected in the intramural nerve elements. Substance P-, VIP and GRP-immunoreactive nerve fibers were found most frequently in the lamina propria mucosae of the surface folds. The relationships between the possible functions of the peptides and amine detected in this study as well as the characteristic structure of the digestive tract of the adult platypus are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00217409
Permalink
