An immunohistochemical survey of catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme-immunoreactive nerves and endocrine cells in the bovine pancreas.

Abstract

The distribution of catecholamine-synthesizing enzyme-immunoreactive nerves and endocrine cells in the pancreas of the calf and cow was studied immunohistochemically using antisera against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). TH- and DBH-immunoreactive nerve fibres were abundant both within and around the islet of Langerhans. A few TH- and DBH-immunoreactive nerve fibres were seen around the large islets characteristic of calf pancreas, but the majority of cells in the large islets, and some in islets of Langerhans, showed TH immunoreactivity. In the exocrine pancreas, both TH- and DBH-immunoreactive nerve fibres were distributed randomly among the acini, with the DBH-immunoreactive fibres being more numerous. Abundant TH- and DBH-immunoreactive nerve fibres were seen in close association with blood vessels and in the connective tissue around the interlobular duct. Immunoreactivity for both enzymes was also observed in the nerve cell bodies and fibres of the intrapancreatic ganglia. The findings suggest an important role for catecholamines in the regulation of bovine pancreatic function.