NUCLEAR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ARGYROPHIL (= A1) AND NON-ARGYROPHIL (= A2) PANCREATIC A CELLS IN THE DUCK

Abstract

ABSTRACT Previous investigations have shown that the A cells in the islets of Langerhans do not constitute a homogeneous cell group, but can be divided into two distinct fractions, on the basis of the presence (= A1 cells) and the absence (= A2 cells) of an argyrophil reaction. In order to asses the biological significance of this finding, it is important in the first instance to study, whether the A cells show any other mutual differences. In a comparison of the A1 and A2 cells within the dark A cell islets from ducks, significant differences were obtained with regard to nuclear size and eccentricity. The larger nuclear size in the A1 cells is possibly an expression of the higher functional activity in these cells. The findings support the concept of two different forms of the A cells.