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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Douglas WW (1975) Histamine and antihistamine; 5-hydroxytryptamine and antagonsists. In: Goodman LS, Gilman A (ed) The pharmacological basis of therapeutics. MacMillian Publishing Co., New York, pp 590–629
Itoh Z, Honda R, Hiwatashi K, Takeuchi S, Aizawa I, Takayanagi R, Couch EF (1976) Motilin-induced mechanical activity in the canine alimentary tract. Scand J Gastroenterol (Suppl 39): 93–110
Konturek SJ (1977) Somatostatin and digestive system. Gastroenterol Cli Biol 1:849–854
Krause WJ (1971) Brunner's glands of the duckbilled platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Am J Anat 132:147–166
Krause WJ (1975) Intestinal mucosa of the Platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus. Anat Rec 181:251–266
Krause WJ, Leeson CR (1974) The gastric mucosa of two monotremes: The duckbilled platypus and echidna. J Morphol 142:285–300
Larsson LI, Sundler F, Håkanson R (1976) Pancreatic polypeptide — A postulated new hormone: Identification of its cellular storage site by light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry. Diabetologia 12:211–232
Lin TM, Chance RE (1978) Spectrum of gastrointestinal actions of bovine PP. In: Bloom SR (ed) Gut hormones. Churchill-Livingstone, Edinburgh London New York, pp 242–246
Lin TM, Evans DC, Chance RE, Spray GF (1977) Bovine pancreatic polypeptide: action on gastric and pancreatic secretion in dogs. Am J Physiol 232:E311-E315
Mason TE, Phifer RF, Spicer SS, Swallow RA, Dreskin RB (1969) An immunoglobulin-enzyme bridge method for localizing tissue antigens. J. Histochem Cytochem 17:563–569
McDonald TJ, Nilsson G, Vagne M, Ghatei M, Bloom SR, Mutt V (1978) A gastrin releasing peptide from the porcine non-antral gastric tissue. Gut 19:767–774
Said SI (1980) Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP): Isolation, distribution, biological action, structure-function relationships, and possible function, In: Glass GBJ (ed) Gastrointestinal hormones. Raven Press, New York, pp 245–273
Skrabenek P, Powell D (1977) Substance P. In: Skrabanek P, Powell D (ed) Annual research reviews. Vol. 1, Churchill-Livingstone, Edinburgh London New York, pp 69–101
Solcia E, Creuzfeldt W, Falkmer S, Fujita T, Greider MH, Grossman MI, Grube D, Håkanson R, Larsson LI, Lechago L, Lewin K, Polak JM, Rubin W (1981) Human gastroenteropan creatic endocrine-paracrine cells: Santa Monica 1980 classification. In: Grossman MI, Brazier MAB, Lechago J (ed) Cellular basis of chemical messengers in the digestive system, Academic Press, New York, pp 159–165
Stening GF, Grossman MI (1969) Gastrin-related peptides as stimulants of pancreatic and gastric secretion. Am J Physiol 217:262–266
Sternberger LA (1979) Immunocytochemistry, 2nd ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York
Tobe T (1973) Biogenic amines in the human GEP endocrine system as a study by fluorescence histochemistry. In: Fujita T (ed) Gastro-enteropancreatic endocrine system. A cell-biological approach, Igakushoin, Tokyo, pp 90–95
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yamada, J., Krause, W.J. An immunohistochemical survey of endocrine cells and nerves in the proximal small intestine of the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus . Cell Tissue Res. 234, 153–164 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217409
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00217409