THE SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF PANCREATIC TISSUE IN THE ANTERIOR CHAMBER OF THE EYE OF THE ALBINO RAT

Abstract

SUMMARY Pieces of foetal rat pancreas obtained from specimens of 18–40 mm c.r. length were implanted into the anterior chamber of the mother's eye. The subsequent changes were followed using histological methods. Acinar tissue degenerates and completely disappears during the first 2 weeks after implantation. Duct epithelium proliferates and large numbers of islets of Langerhans are produced which contain both α and β cells. In grafts of 1 year's duration islets form the main bulk of the graft. Methods of staining the islet tissue of the rat are discussed.