Distribution, ontogeny and ultrastructure of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells in the pancreas and gut of the chicken.

Abstract

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) cells in the pancreas and gut of chickens were studied by immunocytochemistry. In the pancreas PP cells were numerous and disseminated in the exocrine parenchyma. In this location they were first seen at the 9th day of incubation, i.e. several days after the appearance of glucagon, insulin and somatostatin cells. Very large numbers of these cells occurred from about the 14th day until shortly after hatching when the PP cell frequency was somewhat reduced. At the 17th day of incubation PP cells appeared in the duodenum. Subsequently the number of PP cells in the duodenum increased, and PP cells began to appear also in the jejunum-ileum (19th day) and in the proventriculus and colon (21st day). At hatching and a few days thereafter, PP cells were relatively numerous in the small intestines but much less frequent in the proventriculus and colon. One week after hatching PP cells had disappeared from the colon but remained in the proventriculus and small intestines. Ultrastructurally the PP cell was clearly distinguishable from the insulin, glucagon and somatostatin cells. It was characterized by the presence of spherical cytoplasmic granules which were membrane-bound and moderately electron dense. Areas of firm adhesion between PP cells and acinar cells in the form of desmosomes and possibly also gap junctions were observed.