Immunohistochemical Localization of Gastrin Cells (G-Cells) in the Alimentary Canal of a Skipper Frog, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis, Schiedner, (Anura; Ranidae)

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the immunohistochemical localization of gastrin secreting cells in different parts of the alimentary canal of an insectivorous skipper frog, Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis (Schiedner). The gastrin immunoreactive (G IR) cells have been observed in stomach and in duodenal regions of the gut only. Three different morphological types of G IR cells have been recorded. The first type was with long protoplasmic extension projecting towards the lumen indicating lumone nature of secretion. The second type were rounded or oval in shape present towards basal region adjacent to gastric gland suggesting a non-secretory or parahormone or notch signal property of secretory molecule. The third type of cell was with multiple protoplasmic projections related to the secretory behaviour of gastrin cell. In stomach the G IR cells were more in pyloric region and less in fundic region. In stomach, the first type dominates in its number and the two latter types were less. In the duodenal region, the majority of G IR cells were of second type with scanty first type. It is concluded that the three different morphotypes of G IR cells are in fact different secretory stages of gastrin cells (G cells). The existence of different morphotypes of G cells is also linked with their strategic location and requirement to act as either hormone or parahormone or neurohormone or lumone.