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Light and electron microscopic investigation of the endocrine pancreas of the grass-snake [Natrix n. natrix (L.)]

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Summary

The general histological order, as well as size and localisation of Langerhans islets of the grass-snake Natrix n. natrix were investigated in the light and electron microscopes. In the light microscope, three main types of islet elements (B-, A1-, and A2-cells) and D- and amphiphil cells were identified. In the electron microscope B-, II-, III-, IV-, amphiphil-, and X-cells were identified, especially by the type of their secretory granules. The observations were related to results of previous studies on snakes and other vertebrates. The present study suggests that A1- and A2-cells may be identical with II- and III-cells respectively.

Zusammenfassung

Die Langerhansschen Inseln der Ringelnatter Natrix n. natrix wurden licht- und elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Beobachtungen über die Lokalisation, die Größe und das histologische Gesamtbild der Inseln werden mitgeteilt. Lichtmikroskopisch wurden drei Haupttypen von Inselelementen gefunden, die bei allen Wirbeltierklassen vorkommen: B-, A1- und A2-Zellen, außerdem D-Zellen und amphiphile Elemente. Elektronenmikroskopisch wurden insbesondere nach dem Aussehen und der Größe der Sekretgranula Zellen der Typen B, II, III und IV identifiziert, außerdem noch X-Zellen und amphiphile Zellen. Es wird die Meinung vertreten, daß die A1-Zellen mit Zelltyp II und die A2-Zellen mit Zelltyp III identisch sind. Die Ergebnisse werden mit Befunden, die bei Schlangen oder bei anderen Wirbeltieren erhoben wurden, verglichen.

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Trandaburu, T., Călugăreanu, L. Light and electron microscopic investigation of the endocrine pancreas of the grass-snake [Natrix n. natrix (L.)]. Z. Zellforsch. 97, 212–225 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00344758

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