Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fine structure of nervous elements in the pancreas of some vertebrates

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The innervations of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas of some vertebrate animals were studied by electron microscopy. The pancreas of the bat and monkey contained ganglion cells in the interlobular connective tissue or between acinar cells. Unmyelinated nerve fibers ran through the interlobular connective tissue and reached the exocrine and endocrine parts, and terminated there as the endings. The nerve endings within the pancreas could be divided into four types: 1. Type 1-a of the nerve ending contained only agranular synaptic vesicles of about 500 Å in diameter. 2. Type 1-b characterized by containing agranular synaptic vesicles and some large cored vesicles (1,000 Å diameter). These two types of nerve endings might belong to the cholinergic (parasympathetic) endings. 3. Type 2-a contained small cored vesicles and agranular synaptic vesicles along with a few large cored vesicles. 4. Type 2-b was characterized by containing vesicles of the same size as those of agranular synaptic vesicles, and a majority of these vesicles contained bar-shaped crystalloids. This ending also contained a few large cored vesicles. These nerve endings of Type 2-a and 2-b might be the adrenergic (sympathetic) endings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aron, M.: Recherches histophysiologiques sur le fonctionnement et les corrélations des glandes endocrines embryonnaires chez les vertébrés. Bull. Biol. France Belg. 65, 437–521 (1931).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bargmann, W., E. Lindner, u. K. H. Andres: Über Synapsen an endocrinen Epithelzellen und die Definition sekretorischer Neurone. Untersuchungen am Zwischenlappen der Katzenhypophyse. Z. Zellforsch. 77, 282–298 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bensch, D. G., G. B. Gordon, and L. R. Miller: Studies on the bronchial counterpart of the Kultschitzky (argentaffin) cell and innervation of bronchial glands. J. Ultrastruct.Res. 12, 668–686 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bern, H. A., R. S. Nishioka, and I. R. Hagadorn: Neurosecretory granules and the organelles of neurosecretory cells. Mem. Soc. Endocrinol. 12, 21–34 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, F. E., and R. J. Barrnett: Fine structural localization of noradrenaline in vesicles of autonomic nerve endings. Nature (Lond.) 210, 599–601 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cajal, S. R. Y., et C. Sala: Terminatión de los nervios y tubos glandulares del páncreas de losvertebrados. Trab. del Labor. de Histol. de la Facultad de Medicina de Barcelona, 1891. (Cited from Pines and Toropowa, 1930).

  • Campenhout, E. Van: Etude sur le développement et la signification morphologique desilôts endocrines du pancréas chez l'embryon de mouton. Arch. Biol. (Liège) 35, 45–88 (1925).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Contribution à l'étude de l'histogénèse du pancréas chez quelques mammifères. Les complexes sympathico-insulaires. Arch. Biol. (Liège) 37, 121–171 (1927).

    Google Scholar 

  • Caulfield, J. B.: Effects of varying the vehicle for OsO4 in tissue fixation. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 3, 827–830 (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  • Csillik, B., and F. Joó: Effect of hemicholinium on the number of synaptic vesicles. Nature (Lond.) 213, 508–509 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • De Robertis, E.: Ultrastructure of neurosecretory systems. In: H. Heller and R. B. Clarr (ed.), Neurosecretion; Mem. Soc. Endocrinol., vol 12, p. 3–20. New York and London: Academic Press 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Histophysiology of synapses and neurosecretion. Oxford-Londong-Edinburg-New York-Paris-Frankfurt: Pergamon Press 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferner, H.: Das Inselsystem des Pankreas, S. 1–186. Stuttgart: Georg Thieme 1952.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fujita, T.: Histological studies on the neuro-insular complex in the pancreas of some mammals. Z. Zellforsch. 50, 94–109 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Grillo, M. A., and S. L. Palay: Granule-containing vesicles in the autonomic nervous system. In: Proc. Fifth Int. Congr. Electron Microsc. Philadelphia, vol. 2, U-1. New York and London: Academic Press 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimm, Th.: Die Langerhansschen Inseln der Fledermaus während des Winterschlafes. Endokrinologie 30, 168–176 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hagen, E.: Über die Innervation der sekretorischen Drüsen und der Langerhansschen Inseln des Pankreas beim Hund. Z. Zellforsch. 43, 486–500 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hokin, L. E., and M. R. Hokin: The synthesis and secretion of digestive enzymes by pancreas tissue in vitro. In: A. V. S. De Reuck and M. P. Cameron (ed.), Ciba Foundation Symposium on the Exocrine Pancreas, p. 186–207. London: J. & A. Churchill 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Honjin, R.: The innervation of the pancreas of the mouse, with special reference to the structure of the peripheral extension of the vegetative nervous system. J. comp. Neurol. 104, 331–371 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Iversen, L. L.: The catecholamines. Nature (Lond.) 214, 8–14 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobayashi, Y.: Functional morphology of the pars intermedia of the rat hypophysis as revealed with the electron microscope. II. Correlation of the pars intermedia with the hypophyseo-adrenal axis. Z. Zellforsch. 68, 155–171 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kollmann, J.: Über den Verlauf des Lungenmagennerven in der Bauchhöhle. Z. wiss. Zool. 10, 413–448 (1860).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kubo, M., und R. Miyagawa: Studien über Innervation der peripheren Nervenendigungen des Pankreas. Mitt. med. Akad. Kioto 11, 633–635 (1934).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lever, J. D., J. D. P. Graham, G. Irvine, and W. J. Check: The vesiculated axons inrelation to arteriolar smooth muscle in the pancreas. A fine structural and quantitative study. J. Anat. (Lond.) 22, 299–313 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine, R.: Diabetes mellitus. In: J. H. Walton (ed.), Clinical Symp., p. 103–132. Summit: Ciba Corp. 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • McCrea, E. D.: The abdominal distribution of the vagus. J. Anat. (Lond.) 59, 18–40 (1924).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, G. A. G.: Anatomy of the autonomic nervous system. Levingstone and Edinburgh 1953.

  • Monti, R.: Ricerche anatomo-comparative sulla minuta innervazione degli organi trofici dei cranioti inferiori. Turin: Rosenberg & Sellier 1898. (Cited from Honjin, 1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, E.: Zur Kenntnis der Ausbreitung und Endigungsweise der Magen-, Darm- und Pankreasnerven. Arch. mikr. Anat. 40, 390–409 (1892).

    Google Scholar 

  • Munger, B. L., F. Caramia, and P. Lacy: The ultrastructural basis for the identification of cell types in the pancreatic islets. II. Rabbit, dog and opossum. Z. Zellforsch. 67, 776–798 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Palay, S. L.: The fine structure of secretory neurons in the preoptic nucleus of the goldfish. Anat. Rec. 138, 417–444 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pensa, A.: Osservazioni sulla distribuzione dei vasi sanguigni e dei nervi nel pancreas. Int. Mschr. Anat. Physiol. 22, 90–125 (1905).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pines, L., u. M. Toropowa: Zur Innervation des Pankreas. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 20, 20–50 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramez, E.: Contribution à l'étude histogénique du pancréas chez le foetus humain, p. 1–74. Thèse Lille 1926.

  • Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electronmicroscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhodin, J. A. G.: An Atlas of Ultrastructure. Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Co. 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, D. C.: The fine structure of autonomic nerve endings in smooth muscle of the rat vas deferens. J. Anat. (Lond.) 96, 427–442 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The fine structure of the rabbit iris with special reference to the identification of adrenergic and cholinergic nerves and nerve endings in its intrinsic muscles. Amer. J. Anat. 114, 173–205 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sano, Y., u. A. Knoop: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am kaudalen neurosekretorischen System von Tinca vulgaris. Z. Zellforsch. 49, 464–492 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato, T., L. Herman, and P. J. Fitzgerald: The comparative ultrastructure of the pancreatic islet of Langerhans. Gen. comp. Endocr. 7, 132–157 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, E., and S. Brown: Electron-microscopic studies of neurosecretory cells in Lumbricus terrestris. In: H. Heller and R. B. Clark (ed.), Neurosecretion; Mem. Soc. Endocrinol., vol. 12, p. 103–108. New York and London: Academic Press 1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, B. L., and D. S. Pease: Electron microscopy of the salivary and lacrimal glands of the rat. Amer. J. Anat. 104, 115–161 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sergeyeva, M. A.: Microscopic changes in the islands of Langerhans by sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation in the cat. Anat. Rec. 77, 297 (1940).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Numerical changes of A and B cells of the islands of Langerhans produced by sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation in the cat pancreas. Rev. canad. Biol. 2, 495 (1943). (Cited from Ferner. 1952.)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shimizu, M.: Studies on the distribution of the vagus nerve in abdominal viscera. Cytol. Neurol. Stud. (Kanazawa) 11, 1–29 (1954).

    Google Scholar 

  • Simard, L. C.: Les complexes sympathico-insulaires du pancréas de l'homme adulte. C. R.Soc. Biol. (Paris) 119, 27–28 (1935).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Les complexes neuro-insulaires du pancréas humain. Arch. Anat. micr. Morph. exp. 33, 49–64 (1937).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Les complexes neuro-insulaires du pancréas chez les mannifères adultes. Rev. canad. Biol. 1, 1–49 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  • Teitelbaum, H. A.: The nature of the thoracic and abdominal distribution of the vagus nerves. Anat. Rec. 55, 297–318 (1933).

    Google Scholar 

  • Uchizono, K.: Physiology and morphology of synaptic vesicles. In: S. Katsunuma (ed.), Symp. of the Society for Cellular Chemistry, vol. 16, p. 1–27. Tokyo: Maruzen 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watari, N., and L. Herman: Correlative light and electron microscopy of bat islets of Langerhans in hibernating and non-hibernating states. Amer. Zoologist 5, 240 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  • Winborn, W. B.: Light and electron microscopy of the islets of Langerhans of the Saimiri monkey pancreas. Anat. Rec. 147, 65–94 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolfe, D. E., and L. -T. Potter: Localization of norepinephrine in the atrial myocardium. Anat. Rec. 145, 301 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, K. C. Richardson, and J. Axelrod: Localizing tritiated norepinephrine in sympathetic axons by electron microscopic autoradiography. Science 138, 440–442 (1962a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, J. Axelrod, L. T. Potter, and K. C. Richardson: Localization of norepinephrine in adrenergic axons by light and electron-microscopic autoradiography. In: S. S. Breese jr. (ed.), Electron microscopy, vol. 2, U-1. New York: Academic Press 1962b.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamada, E.: Some observations on the nerve terminal on the liver parenchymal cell of the mouse as revealed by electron microscopy. Okajimas Folia anat. jap. 40, 663–677 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, T.: On the fine structure of the terminal portion of nasal gland in guinea pig, with special reference to the interrelationship between glandular cells and nerve endings. Arch. histol. jap. 27, 311–325 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Morphology, Institute of Endocrinology, Gunma University, Maebashi, Japan

    Nakazo Watari

Authors
  1. Nakazo Watari
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Watari, N. Fine structure of nervous elements in the pancreas of some vertebrates. Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 85, 291–314 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328843

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00328843

Keywords

Search

Navigation