THE OCCURRENCE OF ARGYROPHIL CELLS IN THE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS OF AMERICAN OBESE-HYPERGLYCAEMIC MICE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Distinct argyrophil islet cells were found in thin paraffin sections of pancreas both from normal mice and from those with the American variety of the obese-hyperglycaemic syndrome. In the obese animals the relative proportion of argyrophil cells was only about half as great as in their thin litter mates. In both groups the argyrophil cells were mainly localized to the periphery in the larger islets. The results are discussed in the light of the hypothesis put forward by Mayer et al. (1953), that hyperglycaemia in the obese strain results from excessive secretion of glucagon from the A cells.