Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identification of enterochromaffin cells in adjacent Epon-embedded sections at light and electron microscopic levels

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

Summary

Methods for light and electron microscopic comparison of individual argentaffin and argyrophil enterochromaffin cells (EC) in the sheep duodenal mucosa are described. These silver procedures were applied for light microscopy to Epon-embedded sections. The adjacent sections were examined with the electron microscope. The most specific characteristics of the argentaffin and argyrophil EC in electron microscopy are highly osmiophilic cytoplasmic granules. In one cell type these granules are smaller and more roundish than in the another type. These two cell types are stainable both by the argentaffin and argyrophil reactions. No essential difference can be observed in the localization of these elements. It is suggested that both cell types belong to the enterochromaffin system. Both silver methods are also suitable for the light microscopic identification of other intestinal structures in sections adjacent to that sectioned for electron microscopy.

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

  • Barter, R., Pearse, A. G. E.: Detection of 5-hydroxytryptamine in mammalian enterochromaffin cells. Nature (Lond.) 172, 810 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  • Bodian, D.: A new method for staining nerve fibres and nerve endings in mounted paraffin sections. Anat. Rec. 65, 89–97 (1936).

    Google Scholar 

  • Carvalheira, A F., Welsch, U., Pearse, A. G. E.: Cytochemical and ultrastructural observations on the argentaffin and argyrophil cells of the gastro-intestinal tract in mammals, and their place in the APUD series of peptide-secreting cells. Histochemie 14, 33 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, A. G. E.: A study of the Kultschitzky (argentaffin) cell with the electron-microscope, after fixation by osmium tetroxide. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 96, 295–299 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Erspamer, V.: Cellule enterochromaffini e cellule argentophile nel pancreas dell'uomo e dei mammiferi. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 107, 574–619 (1937).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Caratteristiche delle cellule enterochromaffini e delle cellule preenterochromaffini argentofile. Anat. Anz. 86, 379–388 (1938).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Asero, B.: Identification of enteramine, the specific hormone of the enterochromaffin cell system, as 5-hydroxytryptamine. Nature (Lond.) 169, 800–801 (1952b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Falck, B., Bertler, Å., Hillarp, N.-Å., Rosengren, E., Torp, A.: Dopamine and chromaffin cells. Acta physiol. scand. 47, 251–258 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamperl, H.: Über die „gelben (chromaffinen)“ Zellen im Epithel des Verdauungstraktes. Z. mikr.-anat. Forsch. 2, 506–535 (1925).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Über argyrophile Zellen. Virchows Arch. path. Anat. 321, 482–507 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasegawa, T.: Über die Carcinoide des Wurmfortsatzes und des Dünndarmes. Virchows Arch. path. Anat. 244, 8–37 (1923).

    Google Scholar 

  • Helander, H. F.: A preliminary note on the ultrastructure of the argyrophile cells of the mouse gastric mucosa. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 257–262.

  • Hellweg, G.: Über Vorkommen und gegenseitiges Verhalten der argentaffinen und argyrophilen Zellen im menschlichen Magen-Darmtrakt. Z. Zellforsch. 36, 546–551 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kay, D. H.: Techniques for electron microscopy, 2nd ed., p. 304. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, D.-H.: Identification of argyrophilic cells in pancreatic islets by light and electron microscopy in osmium-fixed plasticembedded sections. Z. Zellforsch. 77, 1–7 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Masson, P.: La glande de l'intestin chez l'homme. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 158, 59–61 (1914).

    Google Scholar 

  • Munger, B. L.: Staining methods applicable to sections of osmiumfixed tissue for light microscopy. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 11, 502–506 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pearse, A. G. E.: Histochemistry, theoretical and applied. London: J. & A. Churchill, Ltd. 1960.

    Google Scholar 

  • Penttilä, A.: Histochemical reactions of the enterochromaffin cells and the 5-hydroxytryptamine content of the mammalian duodenum. Acta physiol. scand. 69, Suppl. 281, 1–77 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Enterochromaffin cells and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the alimentary canal of the guinea pig. Scand. J. clin. Lab. Inv. 19, Suppl. 95, 50 (1967a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: 5-Hydroxytryptamine in the enterochromaffin cells of the guinea pig alimentary tract. Histochemie 11, 185–194 (1967b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Penttilä, A.: Effect of incubation in Krebs-Ringer solution or humid air on the amine content, fluorescence and staining characteristics of the duodenal enterochromaffin and dopamine cells. Virchows Arch. Abt. B Zellpath. 1, 269–282 (1968a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: The differentiation of enterochromaffin cells in the chicken duodenum during embryonic development. Z. Zellforsch. 91, 380–390 (1968b).

    Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, K. G., Jarett, L., Finke, E. H.: Embedding in Epoxy resins for ultrathin sectioning in electron microscopy. Stain Technol. 35, 313–323 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, I.: On the alleged presence of non-argyrophile argentaffin cells in the human gastrointestinal tract. Z. Zellforsch. 59, 615–624 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Further observations on the alleged presence of non-argyrophile argentaffin cells in the human gastro-intestinal tract. Z. Zellforsch. 62, 121–124 (1964a).

    Google Scholar 

  • Toner, P. G.: Fine structure of argyrophil and argentaffin cells in the gastro-intestinal tract of the fowl. Z. Zellforsch. 63, 830–839 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • Trier, J. S.: Structure of the mucosa of the small intestine as it relates to intestinal function. Fed. Proc. 26, 1391–1404 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Trump, B. F., Smuckler, E. A., Benditt, E. P.: A method for staining epoxy sections for light microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 5, 343–348 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wetzstein, R., Doerfler, W., Schwink, A.: Die Feinstruktur der enterochromaffinen Zellen und ihrer spezifischen Granula. Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am Duodenum des Meerschweinchens. Protoplasma (Wien) 55, 303–312 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, J. G.: Electron microscopic localization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT). Tex. Rep. Biol. Med. 23, 828–837 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, University of Helsinki, Finland

    Antti Penttilä

Authors
  1. Antti Penttilä
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This work was supported by a grant from the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Helsinki, Finland.

The electron microscopic observations were carried out in the Electron Microscope Laboratory, University of Helsinki.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Penttilä, A. Identification of enterochromaffin cells in adjacent Epon-embedded sections at light and electron microscopic levels. Z. Zellforsch. 102, 193–204 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335500

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00335500

Key-Words

Search

Navigation